Daily Readings - Mon Apr 25 2022
1 Peter
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.12With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Mark
15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we find ourselves immersed in themes of trust, humility, and the call to share the Gospel. The first reading from 1 Peter encourages believers to embrace humility and cast their anxieties upon God, trusting in His providence amidst life’s challenges. The second reading from Mark recounts Jesus’ Great Commission, urging His disciples to spread the Gospel to all creation, with the promise of divine signs accompanying their mission.
The context of these passages sheds light on their significance. Peter’s letter was addressed to early Christians facing persecution, offering them comfort and strength through humility and faith. Mark’s account captures the culmination of Jesus’ ministry, as He ascends and commissions His followers to continue His work. Together, these readings remind us that our trust in God is not just a personal virtue but also empowers us to fulfill our mission in the world.
In applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to approach each day with humility and trust, knowing that God’s grace sustains us. Whether in our workplaces, homes, or communities, we are commissioned to share the Good News through our actions and words. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s plan and boldly embrace our role in spreading His message, just as the early disciples did. By doing so, we not only find personal peace but also contribute to the greater mission of bringing light and hope to the world.