Daily Readings - Fri Jan 31 2025
Hebrews
32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Mark
26And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;27And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.28For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.29But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.30And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:32But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.33And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.34But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, patience, and the quiet yet powerful work of God in our lives. In the letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded of the early Christian community’s perseverance through trials and persecutions. They faced insults, tribulations, and the loss of material possessions, yet they remained steadfast in their faith. This passage encourages us not to lose confidence, for patience and trust in God’s plan will ultimately lead us to receive the promise of eternal life. The just one, we are told, lives by faith, and it is this faith that sustains us even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of God. The first compares the kingdom to a seed that grows quietly and inevitably, even when the sower is unaware of its progress. The second likens the kingdom to a mustard seed, which, though small, grows into a great tree providing shelter for all. These parables remind us that God’s work often happens in hidden and unexpected ways. Just as the seed grows without our full understanding, the kingdom of God can take root in the smallest and seemingly insignificant acts of faith and love. Jesus’ message is one of trust and hope: even when we do not see immediate results, God is always at work, transforming the world through the power of His grace.
These readings are deeply connected. Both call us to trust in God’s plan and to be patient in the face of uncertainty. The early Christians endured suffering because they believed in a future promise, and Jesus’ parables assure us that even the smallest acts of faith can lead to great things. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace this same spirit of trust and perseverance. Let us nurture our faith like a seed, allowing it to grow in the quiet moments and challenging circumstances. May we find the courage to endure trials with patience and to trust that God is always working in our lives, even when we cannot see it. Let us remember that the kingdom of God is not about grand gestures but about the small, consistent acts of love and faith that transform the world.