Daily Readings - Sat Feb 04 2023
Hebrews
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.20May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Mark
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the balance between service and rest, as well as the importance of spiritual leadership and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded to offer continual praise to God through good works and to obey our spiritual leaders who watch over our souls. The passage concludes with a prayer asking God to equip us with goodness so that we may do His will. In the Gospel, Mark describes a moment when Jesus and the Apostles, though exhausted from their ministry, are met with a crowd in need. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on them and teaches them, showing us the heart of a shepherd who prioritizes the needs of others.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian community’s understanding of faith and service. Hebrews emphasizes the importance of living out faith through actions and trusting in God’s grace to accomplish His will. Mark’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ compassion and dedication to His mission, even in moments of physical and mental fatigue. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about personal devotion but also about serving others and trusting in God’s providence.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine how we balance rest and work, and how we respond to the needs of others. Just as Jesus saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, we are called to be shepherds to one another, offering guidance, compassion, and support. The moral lesson here is that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in serving others with love and humility, even when it is challenging. Let us strive to live out our faith with generosity and trust, knowing that God will equip us with the grace we need to fulfill His will.