Daily Readings - Mon Apr 25 2022
1 Peter
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Mark
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we find ourselves immersed in themes of trust, humility, and the call to share the Gospel. The first reading from 1 Peter encourages believers to embrace humility and cast their anxieties upon God, trusting in His providence amidst life’s challenges. The second reading from Mark recounts Jesus’ Great Commission, urging His disciples to spread the Gospel to all creation, with the promise of divine signs accompanying their mission.
The context of these passages sheds light on their significance. Peter’s letter was addressed to early Christians facing persecution, offering them comfort and strength through humility and faith. Mark’s account captures the culmination of Jesus’ ministry, as He ascends and commissions His followers to continue His work. Together, these readings remind us that our trust in God is not just a personal virtue but also empowers us to fulfill our mission in the world.
In applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to approach each day with humility and trust, knowing that God’s grace sustains us. Whether in our workplaces, homes, or communities, we are commissioned to share the Good News through our actions and words. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s plan and boldly embrace our role in spreading His message, just as the early disciples did. By doing so, we not only find personal peace but also contribute to the greater mission of bringing light and hope to the world.