Daily Readings - Tue Feb 15 2022
James
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Mark
14The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.15"Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod."16They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread."17Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?18Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember?19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?Twelve," they replied.20"And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven."21He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons about temptation, perception, and trust in God's providence. The first reading from James reminds us that temptation arises not from God but from our own desires, which can lead to sin and death. James encourages us to recognize that every good gift comes from God, who is unchanging and true. The Gospel from Mark finds the disciples preoccupied with their lack of bread, prompting Jesus to warn them against the "leaven of the Pharisees and Herod," urging them to trust in God's provision and to seek spiritual understanding beyond material concerns.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our spiritual perception. James calls us to discern the true source of temptation and to seek God's wisdom, while Mark's Gospel highlights the disciples' limited vision and Jesus' call to deeper faith. These passages remind us that our struggles with sin and doubt are not about external circumstances but about the state of our hearts. Just as the disciples needed to move beyond their focus on bread, we must look beyond our immediate worries and trust in God's plan.
In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where am I allowing my desires to lead me astray? How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's providence? Let us seek to grow in spiritual awareness, remembering that every good gift comes from God, and that true life is found in following His will. May we, like the disciples, learn to see beyond the surface and to trust in the Lord who provides for us in ways we cannot yet understand.