Daily Readings - Fri Jan 27 2023
Hebrews
32Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.37For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.38But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Mark
26He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.28All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."30Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground.32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."33With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.34He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, patience, and the mysterious ways of God. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear a call to perseverance in the face of trials and afflictions. The author reminds us that our confidence in God should not waver, even when the journey is difficult, because it is through enduring these trials that we receive the promise of eternal life. This passage speaks to the early Christian community, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their faith despite persecution and hardship. It reminds us that true faith is not about immediate results but about trusting in God’s plan, even when the outcome is not yet visible.
In the Gospel, Mark presents two parables that shed light on the Kingdom of God. The first parable compares the Kingdom to a seed that grows mysteriously, even when the sower is unaware of its progress. The second parable likens it to a mustard seed, which, though small, grows into a mighty tree that shelters all. These parables teach us that the Kingdom of God is both hidden and transformative. It begins in small, imperceptible ways, but over time, it grows into something extraordinary. This mirrors the message of Hebrews: just as the seed requires patience and trust in the soil, our faith requires us to trust in God’s timing and providence.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith journey is not about quick fixes or immediate gratification. It is about trusting in God’s plan, even when the path is unclear or difficult. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this kind of faith—faith that endures trials, faith that trusts in the unseen, and faith that believes in the transformative power of God’s Kingdom. Let us, therefore, cultivate patience and perseverance, knowing that the seeds of faith we plant today will bear fruit in God’s time.