Daily Readings - Thu Jan 12 2023
Hebrews
7So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice,8do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,9where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.10That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'11So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'"12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
Mark
40A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.43Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:44"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."45Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Hebrews warns us against hardening our hearts, urging us to remain faithful and supportive of one another. The second reading from Mark shares the story of a leper who, with unwavering faith, approaches Jesus for healing. Jesus, moved by compassion, heals the leper and instructs him to present himself to the priests, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience.
These readings remind us of the delicate balance between individual faith and community support. The leper's courage to approach Jesus reflects the personal trust we must have in God, while the community aspect in Hebrews highlights the need for mutual encouragement to prevent our hearts from becoming hardened by sin. Just as the leper's healing was a testament to others, our actions and faith can inspire those around us.
In our daily lives, let us embrace this dual lesson. May we nurture our personal faith, trusting in God's grace, and actively support one another within our community. By doing so, we not only avoid the pitfalls of sin but also become beacons of hope and faith for others. The moral here is clear: faith and community are intertwined, each strengthening the other, leading us closer to God and fostering a spirit of compassion and trust.