Daily Readings - Fri Jan 31 2025
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
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, patience, and the quiet yet powerful work of God in our lives. In the letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded of the early Christian community’s perseverance through trials and persecutions. They faced insults, tribulations, and the loss of material possessions, yet they remained steadfast in their faith. This passage encourages us not to lose confidence, for patience and trust in God’s plan will ultimately lead us to receive the promise of eternal life. The just one, we are told, lives by faith, and it is this faith that sustains us even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of God. The first compares the kingdom to a seed that grows quietly and inevitably, even when the sower is unaware of its progress. The second likens the kingdom to a mustard seed, which, though small, grows into a great tree providing shelter for all. These parables remind us that God’s work often happens in hidden and unexpected ways. Just as the seed grows without our full understanding, the kingdom of God can take root in the smallest and seemingly insignificant acts of faith and love. Jesus’ message is one of trust and hope: even when we do not see immediate results, God is always at work, transforming the world through the power of His grace.
These readings are deeply connected. Both call us to trust in God’s plan and to be patient in the face of uncertainty. The early Christians endured suffering because they believed in a future promise, and Jesus’ parables assure us that even the smallest acts of faith can lead to great things. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace this same spirit of trust and perseverance. Let us nurture our faith like a seed, allowing it to grow in the quiet moments and challenging circumstances. May we find the courage to endure trials with patience and to trust that God is always working in our lives, even when we cannot see it. Let us remember that the kingdom of God is not about grand gestures but about the small, consistent acts of love and faith that transform the world.