Daily Readings - Sun Feb 25 2024
Genesis
1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.15And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,16And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Romans
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Mark
2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.4And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.8And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.10And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons about faith, trust, and divine revelation. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Abraham and Isaac, a seminal test of faith where Abraham's unwavering obedience to God is rewarded. This narrative underscores the theme of trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. The second reading from Romans, written by Paul, reassures us of God's unwavering support, emphasizing that if God is for us, no adversity can prevail against us. This passage highlights the triumph of Christ's love and the strength it provides believers. The Gospel from Mark describes the Transfiguration, a moment where Jesus' divine glory is revealed to Peter, James, and John, reinforcing their faith and preparing them for the challenges ahead.
These readings are intricately connected, each illuminating aspects of faith and trust. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac exemplifies the faith that underpins Christian belief, while Paul's words in Romans elaborate on the assurance and support believers receive from God. The Transfiguration in Mark serves as a visual affirmation of Jesus' divine nature, urging the disciples—and us—to listen to and follow Him. Together, they remind us that faith is not passive but active, requiring us to trust and obey God's will, even when it's challenging.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are encouraged to trust God in all circumstances, just as Abraham did. The Romans passage reminds us to lean on God's love and support during trials, knowing that Christ's intercession strengthens us. The Transfiguration invites us to focus on Jesus, seeking His guidance and comfort, especially in difficult times. The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God lead to strength and understanding of His plan. Just as Abraham and the disciples found sustenance in their faith, we too can find comfort and guidance by trusting in God and heeding His Word. Let us embrace this faith, allowing it to transform our lives and deepen our relationship with Him.