Daily Readings - Sat Feb 06 2021
Hebrews
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.
Mark
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 invited to reflect on the balance between rest and service, as well as the nature of compassionate leadership. The first reading from Hebrews encourages us to offer sacrifices of praise to God through our words and actions, emphasizing the importance of community and obedience to our spiritual leaders. The author prays for God's peace and empowerment to live according to His will. This passage reminds us that our worship is not just individual but communal, and our faith is lived out in good works and fellowship.
The Gospel from Mark presents a complementary message. After the Apostles return from their missionary work, Jesus invites them to rest in a deserted place. Yet, when they arrive, they find a crowd seeking Jesus. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on them and teaches them. This passage highlights Jesus' compassionate leadership and the importance of balancing rest with service. Just as the Apostles needed rest, we too need moments of renewal, but we are also called to respond to the needs of others with compassion.
These readings remind us that our faith is both about rest and service, trust and action. In our daily lives, we are called to create spaces for rest and renewal, just as Jesus did for his disciples. At the same time, we are to look out for those around us, offering them the same compassion and guidance that Jesus showed to the crowd. Let us strive to live this balance, trusting in God's peace and grace to equip us for whatever He calls us to do. May we, like Jesus, be sources of hope and healing for those around us.