Daily Readings - Thu Feb 07 2019
Hebrews
18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Mark
7Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."12They went out and preached that people should repent.13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, trust, and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded of the stark contrast between the terrifying experience of encountering God at Mount Sinai and the hopeful, joyful assembly of the heavenly Jerusalem. The author paints a vivid picture of the fear and awe that came with the presence of God in the Old Testament, but then shifts our gaze to the New Covenant, where we are invited into a spiritual community of saints, angels, and the living God. This passage encourages us to see ourselves as part of a larger, eternal story, one that transcends the fears and uncertainties of this world.
In the Gospel, Mark recounts Jesus sending out the twelve apostles two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits and instructing them on how to conduct their mission. Jesus tells them to travel simply, without extra provisions, and to rely on the hospitality of others. He also warns them that not everyone will accept their message, but they are to shake off the dust from their feet as a sign of judgment against those who refuse to listen. This passage emphasizes trust in God’s providence and boldness in sharing the message of repentance and healing. It reminds us that following Christ means stepping out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust and reliance on God. The apostles were sent out with little, but they were given great authority and saw remarkable results because they trusted in Jesus’ words. Similarly, the Hebrews reading calls us to trust in the promise of a heavenly inheritance, one that far surpasses the terrors and uncertainties of this life. For us today, these readings invite us to examine our own trust in God. Are we willing to step out in faith, even when we feel unprepared or uncertain? Do we live with the hope and assurance of being part of a spiritual community that endures beyond this life? Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan and to live boldly as disciples of Christ, sharing His message of love and redemption with a world in need.