Daily Readings - Tue Jan 17 2023
Hebrews
10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,14saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.17Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Mark
23One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.24The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"25He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."27Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons about faith, hope, and the nature of God’s law. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us that God is always faithful to His promises, even when the journey is long and challenging. The author encourages us to persevere in hope, just as Abraham did, trusting that God’s promises are unshakable. This passage emphasizes the importance of patience and faith as we walk the path of discipleship, knowing that our efforts to love and serve others are not forgotten by God.
The Gospel from Mark presents a moment of tension between tradition and compassion. Jesus and His disciples are criticized by the Pharisees for picking grain on the Sabbath, but Jesus responds by reminding them that the Sabbath was created for humanity’s benefit, not to impose unnecessary burdens. He references David’s actions when he and his men were in need, showing that even the sacred laws of God must be understood in the context of human need and compassion. Jesus’ words challenge us to think deeply about the purpose of rules and traditions, ensuring that they serve the greater good rather than becoming ends in themselves.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. From Hebrews, we learn the importance of perseverance and trust in God’s promises, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. From Mark, we are reminded that our actions should always be guided by love and compassion, rather than rigid adherence to rules. Let us strive to be people of hope and patience, trusting in God’s faithfulness, and let us approach life with the flexibility to serve others, just as Jesus did. May we always remember that our faith is not about following rules for their own sake, but about living in a way that reflects God’s love and mercy.