Daily Readings - Tue Jan 17 2023
Hebrews
10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.13For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,14Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Mark
23And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.24And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?25And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?26How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?27And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:28Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons about faith, hope, and the nature of God’s law. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us that God is always faithful to His promises, even when the journey is long and challenging. The author encourages us to persevere in hope, just as Abraham did, trusting that God’s promises are unshakable. This passage emphasizes the importance of patience and faith as we walk the path of discipleship, knowing that our efforts to love and serve others are not forgotten by God.
The Gospel from Mark presents a moment of tension between tradition and compassion. Jesus and His disciples are criticized by the Pharisees for picking grain on the Sabbath, but Jesus responds by reminding them that the Sabbath was created for humanity’s benefit, not to impose unnecessary burdens. He references David’s actions when he and his men were in need, showing that even the sacred laws of God must be understood in the context of human need and compassion. Jesus’ words challenge us to think deeply about the purpose of rules and traditions, ensuring that they serve the greater good rather than becoming ends in themselves.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. From Hebrews, we learn the importance of perseverance and trust in God’s promises, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. From Mark, we are reminded that our actions should always be guided by love and compassion, rather than rigid adherence to rules. Let us strive to be people of hope and patience, trusting in God’s faithfulness, and let us approach life with the flexibility to serve others, just as Jesus did. May we always remember that our faith is not about following rules for their own sake, but about living in a way that reflects God’s love and mercy.