Daily Readings - Sat Feb 04 2023
Hebrews
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Mark
30And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.33And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the balance between service and rest, as well as the importance of spiritual leadership and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded to offer continual praise to God through good works and to obey our spiritual leaders who watch over our souls. The passage concludes with a prayer asking God to equip us with goodness so that we may do His will. In the Gospel, Mark describes a moment when Jesus and the Apostles, though exhausted from their ministry, are met with a crowd in need. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on them and teaches them, showing us the heart of a shepherd who prioritizes the needs of others.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian community’s understanding of faith and service. Hebrews emphasizes the importance of living out faith through actions and trusting in God’s grace to accomplish His will. Mark’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ compassion and dedication to His mission, even in moments of physical and mental fatigue. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about personal devotion but also about serving others and trusting in God’s providence.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine how we balance rest and work, and how we respond to the needs of others. Just as Jesus saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, we are called to be shepherds to one another, offering guidance, compassion, and support. The moral lesson here is that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in serving others with love and humility, even when it is challenging. Let us strive to live out our faith with generosity and trust, knowing that God will equip us with the grace we need to fulfill His will.