Daily Readings - Wed Feb 06 2019
Hebrews
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.13"Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.15See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Mark
1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.3"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us that God's discipline, though challenging, is a manifestation of His love. It encourages us to embrace this discipline, trusting that it leads to peace and justice. The second reading from Mark illustrates Jesus facing rejection in His hometown, highlighting the theme of unbelief and the limitations it imposes on God's work.
The context of Hebrews is a letter to early Christians enduring hardships, urging them to persevere. Mark's passage shows Jesus' experience of rejection, emphasizing that even the Son of God faced skepticism. These readings connect through the theme of facing challenges in faith—whether through discipline or rejection. They remind us that our faith is tested in such moments, calling us to trust in God's plan.
Applying this to daily life, we are encouraged to persevere through trials, viewing them as opportunities for growth. Let us not let familiarity or comfort hinder our faith, as seen in Jesus' hometown. Instead, we should embrace God's discipline and remain open to His grace, avoiding the roots of bitterness. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's love, even in difficult times, and remain faithful, knowing that true peace and justice will follow.