Daily Readings - Sun Feb 04 2018
Job
1"Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man?2Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages,3so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.4When I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn.6"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.7Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.
1 Corinthians
16Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!17If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.18What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Mark
29As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.31So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.32That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.33The whole town gathered at the door,34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.36Simon and his companions went to look for him,37and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"38Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."39So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Sermon
The readings today present us with a powerful interplay between human suffering, selfless service, and the call to mission. In the first reading, Job describes his life as a relentless struggle, filled with emptiness and sorrow. His words echo the universal human experience of pain and the search for meaning in the midst of hardship. Job’s lament reminds us that suffering is not foreign to the human condition, and it invites us to reflect on how we respond to our own struggles with faith and hope.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the apostle Paul, who speaks of his obligation to preach the Gospel. Paul’s words reveal a deep sense of responsibility and selflessness. He adapts himself to all people, becoming “all things to all men,” in order to share the Good News. This reading challenges us to consider how we might serve others with similar dedication, not for personal gain, but for the sake of the Gospel. Paul’s example calls us to live with a missionary heart, always seeking to bring Christ to those around us.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus as the compassionate healer who brings hope and restoration to those in need. Jesus’ ministry is marked by action—he heals the sick, casts out demons, and preaches the Good News. Yet, even in the midst of his busy ministry, Jesus takes time to pray, grounding his work in intimate communion with the Father. This balance of action and prayer is a model for us. Like Jesus, we are called to be instruments of healing and hope in the world, but we must also nurture our relationship with God through prayer. As we go about our daily lives, may we strive to imitate Christ’s compassion, serve others selflessly, and remain rooted in prayer, trusting that God will use us to bring light and love to a world in need.