Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 5, 2025
First Reading: Hebrews 12.4-7, 11-15
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;
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Gospel: Mark 6.1-6
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.