Daily Readings - Mon Feb 12 2024
James
1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.9Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:10But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Mark
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.13And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of faith and trust in God, even when faced with challenges and uncertainties. The first reading from James encourages us to embrace trials with joy, knowing that they test our faith and lead to patience and spiritual maturity. James also emphasizes the need for unwavering faith when seeking wisdom from God, warning against doubt, which can leave us ungrounded and unstable. The Gospel from Mark recounts an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees, who demand a sign from heaven to test him. Jesus, with deep sighing, rebukes their lack of faith, implying that true belief does not rely on external proofs but on trust in God’s word and presence.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith and its relationship with doubt. James teaches us that faith must be firm and unshakable, even in the face of adversity, while Mark’s Gospel highlights the danger of seeking constant signs or proofs before believing. The Pharisees’ demand for a sign reflects a lack of trust in Jesus’ authority and message, while James calls us to trust God’s providence, even when we do not fully understand our circumstances.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own faith. Do we approach challenges with patience and trust, or do we allow doubt and fear to dominate? When we face trials, do we see them as opportunities for growth, or do we resist and complain? Like the Pharisees, we may sometimes seek signs or guarantees before fully committing to God’s will. Today’s readings encourage us to deepen our faith, to trust in God’s wisdom, and to find joy even in difficult times. Let us pray for the grace to remain steadfast in our belief, to seek wisdom humbly, and to trust in God’s providence, knowing that true faith leads to spiritual perfection and peace.