Daily Readings - Sat Jan 19 2019
Hebrews
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double--edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Mark
13Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.14As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.15While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about God's nature and Jesus' mission. The first reading from Hebrews describes the Word of God as a double-edged sword, piercing the soul and spirit, and emphasizes Jesus as a compassionate High Priest who understands our weaknesses. The Gospel from Mark illustrates Jesus' controversial act of calling Levi, a tax collector, and dining with sinners, leading to criticism from the Pharisees. Jesus responds by affirming his mission to call sinners, not the self-righteous.
The context of Hebrews is a letter to early Christians facing persecution, reassuring them of God's ever-present help and Jesus' empathy. Mark's passage highlights Jesus' unconventional ministry, engaging with those marginalized by society, which was controversial in a culture that valued purity.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on Jesus' understanding of human frailty and his mission to offer grace. The Word of God in Hebrews is powerful, discerning, and active, aligning with Jesus' actions in Mark as he brings mercy to those in need.
Applying this to daily life, we are reminded to embrace our need for God's mercy and extend compassion to others. Just as Jesus reached out to tax collectors and sinners, we should engage with those on the margins, offering love and understanding.
The moral lesson is clear: Jesus came for the sinners, not the self-righteous. We are all in need of God's grace, and our response should be humility and openness to His Word, allowing it to transform us. Let us follow Jesus' example, reaching out with love and compassion, trusting in His mercy to guide us.