Daily Readings - Thu Jan 19 2023
Hebrews
25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.26Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.28For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
1The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,2and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.3Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.4If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.5They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."6But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
Mark
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.8When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.9Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.10For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.11Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."12But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound identity and mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded of Jesus' role as our eternal High Priest. Unlike the priests of the Old Covenant, who were limited by their humanity and offered sacrifices repeatedly, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice—himself—once and for all. This passage emphasizes his divine priesthood, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us continuously. The author of Hebrews highlights the superiority of Christ's priesthood, which is rooted in his sinlessness and his eternal existence. This reality should fill us with hope and confidence, knowing that we have a perfect mediator who understands our weaknesses and advocates for us before the Father.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus in action, surrounded by crowds who are drawn to his healing power. The unclean spirits recognize him as the Son of God, but Jesus silences them. This moment in Mark's Gospel reveals the divine authority of Jesus, but it also shows his humility and focus on his mission. While the demons acknowledge his true identity, Jesus does not seek to draw attention to himself. Instead, he continues to serve the people, healing their wounds and teaching them about the kingdom of God. This passage invites us to reflect on how we acknowledge Jesus in our own lives. Do we recognize his divine presence in our midst? Do we allow his power to transform us, or do we try to control or manipulate it for our own purposes?
These readings call us to trust in Jesus' priesthood and his divine plan. Like the crowds in Mark's Gospel, we are often drawn to Jesus for what he can do for us, but we are invited to go deeper. We are called to recognize his true identity as the Son of God and to surrender our lives to his will. In a world that often seeks quick fixes and superficial solutions, we are reminded that true healing and transformation come from Jesus alone. Let us approach him with humility and faith, allowing his power to touch our lives and transform our hearts. May we, like the healed in the Gospel, bear witness to his love and mercy in all that we do.