Daily Readings - Wed Feb 05 2025
Hebrews
4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Mark
1And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.4But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us that discipline is an act of God's love, shaping us to holiness. It encourages perseverance, even when the journey is difficult, trusting that God's plan is for our good. The Gospel from Mark illustrates Jesus facing rejection in His hometown, where familiarity bred contempt, hindering the miracles that could have occurred.
These readings together teach us about faith and trust in God's plan. Hebrews emphasizes enduring trials as a form of divine discipline, while Mark shows how unbelief can limit God's work in our lives. Both remind us to look beyond the ordinary and trust in God's extraordinary plan, even when faced with doubt or hardship.
In our daily lives, let us embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and remain open to God's presence. Let us not let familiarity or doubt blind us to His work. May we trust in His plan, knowing that perseverance and faith will lead us to a deeper relationship with Him.