Daily Readings - Tue Jan 21 2025
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 profound lessons about faith, trust, and the spirit of the law. The first reading from Hebrews emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness and the importance of perseverance. It reminds us that our efforts in serving others and living in faith are not in vain, as God promises to reward those who trust Him. The passage also highlights Jesus as our High Priest, who intercedes for us, providing an unshakable hope.
The Gospel from Mark presents a scenario where Jesus challenges the traditional understanding of the Sabbath. When the Pharisees question the disciples' actions, Jesus uses the example of David to illustrate that human needs sometimes require flexibility. He asserts that the Sabbath was created for humanity's benefit, not the other way around. This teaches us to focus on the spirit of the law rather than its rigid application.
Both readings encourage us to trust in God's plan and remain faithful, even when faced with challenges. They remind us to be adaptable and compassionate, understanding that religious practices should enhance our relationship with God rather than become a burden. The moral lesson here is one of trust and adaptability, urging us to follow God's will with perseverance and an open heart.