Daily Readings - Wed Feb 03 2021
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 powerful lessons about faith, humility, and the challenges of living a life pleasing to God. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us that discipline is an essential part of our spiritual journey. The author encourages us to persevere through trials, understanding them as a sign of God’s love and a means of growing in holiness. Just as a father corrects his children, God disciplines us to help us become the people He created us to be. This discipline may be uncomfortable or even painful, but it ultimately leads to peace and justice in our lives. The reading also warns us against bitterness and the importance of pursuing sanctity, without which we cannot see God.
The Gospel from Mark provides a vivid example of how even Jesus, the Son of God, faced rejection and unbelief. Returning to His hometown, Jesus was met with skepticism and offense because the people could not see beyond His humble beginnings as a carpenter’s son. Despite His wisdom and the miracles He performed, they refused to accept Him, limiting His ability to work wonders among them. This passage reminds us that faith is often hindered by our own limited perspectives and preconceptions. Like the people of Nazareth, we risk missing out on the grace and miracles God wants to work in our lives when we allow unbelief or pride to harden our hearts.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and how we respond to challenges and setbacks. Are we open to the discipline of the Lord, trusting that it is for our good? Do we allow our own biases or doubts to prevent us from seeing God’s work in our lives and in the world around us? Let us ask for the grace to embrace humility and faith, trusting that God’s plan for us is always one of love and transformation. May we, like Jesus, persevere in the face of rejection and continue to walk in the path of peace and holiness, knowing that true fruitfulness comes from trusting in God’s providence.