Daily Readings - Sun Feb 07 2021
Job
1"Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man?2Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages,3so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.4When I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn.6"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.7Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.
1 Corinthians
16Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!17If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.18What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Mark
29As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.31So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.32That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.33The whole town gathered at the door,34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.36Simon and his companions went to look for him,37and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"38Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."39So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter three distinct voices—Job, Paul, and Jesus—each offering a unique perspective on suffering, service, and the mission of God. The first reading from Job paints a vivid picture of human frailty and the struggle to find meaning in the midst of suffering. Job laments the brevity and hardship of life, comparing it to a battle and a fleeting wind. His words resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt the weight of pain or the emptiness of hopelessness. Yet, even in his despair, Job’s honesty before God is a testament to the depth of his faith.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts the focus to the apostle Paul, who speaks of his calling to preach the Gospel. Unlike Job, Paul does not lament his circumstances but embraces his mission with a sense of duty and purpose. He becomes “all things to all people” to save as many as possible, showing us that true service involves self-sacrifice and adaptability. Paul’s words remind us that our struggles, like his, can be transformed into opportunities to serve others and to share in the work of God.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus as the embodiment of God’s compassion and power. After healing Peter’s mother-in-law and many others, Jesus rises early to pray, demonstrating his deep connection to the Father. His words, “Let us go to the neighboring towns…for this is why I came,” reveal his single-minded commitment to his mission. Jesus shows us that true service flows from intimacy with God and a willingness to go out to others in love.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to suffering and how we live out our call to serve. Like Job, we may face trials that test our faith, but like Paul, we can find purpose in sharing the Gospel and serving others. And like Jesus, we are called to minister with compassion and to stay rooted in prayer. May we, in our own struggles and joys, imitate Jesus by bringing light and healing to a world in need.