Daily Readings - Tue Feb 13 2024
James
12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16Do not err, my beloved brethren.17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Mark
14Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.16And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.17And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?19When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.20And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.21And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of temptation, discernment, and the generosity of God. In the first reading from James, we are reminded that temptation does not come from God but from our own desires, which can lead us astray. James encourages us to recognize that every good gift comes from God, who is unchanging and true. This passage calls us to be mindful of the sources of our desires and to seek God’s wisdom in navigating life’s challenges.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a scene where Jesus warns his disciples against the "leaven of the Pharisees and Herod," which symbolizes hypocrisy and worldly influence. The disciples, preoccupied with their lack of bread, fail to grasp the deeper spiritual lesson. Jesus reminds them of the miracles of the loaves, pointing out their spiritual blindness. This passage challenges us to look beyond the superficial concerns of daily life and to trust in God’s providence and wisdom.
Together, these readings remind us to be vigilant about the influences in our lives and to seek God’s truth. Like the disciples, we often miss the deeper meaning of God’s presence in our lives, focusing instead on immediate concerns. Let us ask for the grace to discern the sources of our desires and to trust in God’s generosity. May we, like James encourages, be doers of the Word, living with integrity and faith in the midst of life’s temptations.