Daily Readings - Sun Sep 12 2021
Isaiah
5The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.7For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.8He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.9Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
James
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Mark
27And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?28And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, trust, and discipleship. In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet speaks of his unwavering trust in God despite suffering and rejection. He describes how he has offered his body to those who strike him and his face to those who spit on him, yet he remains unashamed because he knows the Lord is his helper. This passage is set in the context of Israel’s exile and restoration, where Isaiah’s fidelity to God’s will serves as a model for the people’s return to faithfulness. His trust in God is not passive but active, enduring hardship without turning back.
In the second reading from James, we are reminded that faith without works is dead. James challenges us to move beyond mere professions of faith and to demonstrate our commitment through concrete actions. He uses the example of someone who wishes another well but fails to provide for their needs, emphasizing that true faith must be lived out in service to others. This teaching is part of James’ broader call to live out the gospel in practical ways, showing that our relationship with God is not just about belief but about how we love and care for one another.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry. After Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, Jesus begins to teach his disciples about the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter’s resistance to this plan reveals a misunderstanding of what it means to follow Jesus. In response, Jesus calls his disciples to embrace self-denial and take up their cross, emphasizing that true discipleship requires surrender and trust in God’s plan. This passage is a call to move beyond our own comfort and desires, trusting that God’s way, though difficult, leads to life.
These readings are deeply connected. Isaiah’s trust in the face of suffering, James’ call to active faith, and Jesus’ teaching on self-denial all point to the same truth: living out our faith requires us to surrender our own will and trust in God’s plan, even when it is challenging. In our daily lives, this means being willing to embrace difficulties with faith, putting our faith into action through service, and trusting that God’s way leads to true life. May we, like Isaiah, set our faces like flint, trusting in God’s help, and may we, like Jesus, embrace the cross with courage and faith.