Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 9, 2019
First Reading: Hebrews 13.15-17, 20-21
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.20May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,3he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Gospel: Mark 6.30-34
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the importance of balance and compassion in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Hebrews encourages us to offer praise to God through our words and actions, emphasizing the value of good works and fellowship. It also urges us to obey our leaders and support them, as they guide us in our faith. The second reading from Mark illustrates Jesus's compassion as He teaches the crowd, who are like sheep without a shepherd, after the Apostles return from their mission.
The context of these readings highlights early Christian communities' challenges. Hebrews was written to encourage believers to remain faithful amidst trials, while Mark's passage shows Jesus's response to the Apostles' need for rest and the crowd's need for guidance. Both readings connect through themes of leadership and care: Hebrews focuses on the role of leaders, and Mark shows Jesus leading by example with compassion.
Applying this to our lives, we are reminded to balance rest and service. Just as Jesus taught the Apostles to rest, we too need moments of reflection. Additionally, we are called to lead or follow with compassion, supporting one another as the early Church did. The moral lesson here is the importance of finding balance and leading with kindness, mirroring Jesus's example. By doing so, we can serve others compassionately while nurturing our own spiritual well-being.