Daily Readings - Mon Feb 04 2019
Hebrews
32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Mark
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him.5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!"8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"10"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside.12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them."13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man--and told about the pigs as well.17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and transformation. The first reading from Hebrews 11 presents a roll call of faith, highlighting figures who, despite immense suffering and without receiving the promised rewards, remained steadfast in their trust in God. Their stories remind us that faith is not about immediate gratification but about enduring trust in God's plan, even when the outcomes are unclear. The Gospel from Mark 5 offers a dramatic account of Jesus healing a man tormented by a legion of demons. This man, who had been ostracized and suffered greatly, found liberation through Jesus' compassion and power. The story underscores Jesus' authority over evil and His desire to restore wholeness to those who are broken.
The readings are connected by the theme of faith in the face of adversity. The heroes of faith in Hebrews endured unimaginable trials yet trusted in God's promise of something greater. Similarly, the man in the Gospel had to trust Jesus to free him from the grip of darkness. Both stories emphasize that true faith is not about avoiding suffering but about trusting God in the midst of it. For the man possessed by demons, faith meant surrendering to Jesus' power and allowing Him to transform his life. For the heroes of faith, it meant persevering even when the promised redemption seemed distant.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our own faith. Do we trust God when circumstances are difficult? Do we believe that He is working for our good, even when we cannot see the full picture? The man in the Gospel was transformed by Jesus and became a witness to His power, preaching to his own people. Similarly, we are called to trust God in our struggles and to share the hope we have found with others. The moral lesson is clear: faith is not about comfort or ease; it is about trusting in God's plan and allowing Him to bring light out of darkness. Let us, like the heroes of faith and the healed man, trust in God's providence and proclaim His greatness to a world in need of hope.