Daily Readings - Tue Jan 19 2021
Hebrews
10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,14saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.17Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Mark
23One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.24The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"25He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."27Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
Sermon
**Sermon Reflection on Hebrews 6:10-20 and Mark 2:23-28**
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust, hope, and compassion. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness and the unshakeable nature of His promises. Using Abraham as an example, Hebrews encourages us to persevere in hope, trusting that God's promises are our anchor in uncertain times. This passage, likely addressing early Christians facing challenges, underscores the importance of maintaining faith and hope, with Jesus as our steadfast anchor.
The Gospel from Mark presents a scenario where Jesus and His disciples encounter criticism for their actions on the Sabbath. Jesus defends their behavior by referencing David's actions and emphasizing that the Sabbath is for humanity's benefit, not the other way around. This highlights Jesus' authority and His focus on human well-being over rigid legalism. This passage, part of early conflicts with Pharisees, teaches us to prioritize people's needs and acts of love over strict adherence to rules.
Both readings converge on themes of trust and faith. Hebrews urges us to trust God's promises, while Mark shows Jesus trusting God's will and teaching about the Sabbath's true purpose. Together, they encourage us to trust God, live according to His will, and balance compassion with tradition.
In daily life, these teachings remind us to maintain hope in God's faithfulness, especially during challenges. From Mark, we learn to avoid letting rules hinder acts of love and care for others. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's faithfulness, keep hope alive, and practice compassion, as Jesus did when He allowed His disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath. Let us embrace trust, hope, and compassion, living as reflections of God's love in the world.