Daily Readings for February 12, 2018

1ST READING

God dealt with the sinfulness of the saints and moved them to embrace the suffering and trials they faced. From another perspective we can consider this: If you do not experience any suffering in your life, then you are probably dead. We battle the devil and his temptations daily to defeat sin, and the battle entails much pain and suffering.

James 1:1-11

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. 2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. 6 But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. 9 The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing, 10 and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” 11 For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

P S A L M

Psalm 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76

R: Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise. (R) 68 You are good and bountiful; teach me your statutes. (R) 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. (R) 72 The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (R) 75 I know, O Lord, that your ordinances are just, and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me. (R) 76 Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants. (R)

GOSPEL

The cross is the ultimate sign of God’s great love for us. Do we still need other signs to prove His love? Jesus on the cross is enough. His resurrection is His love come alive in us, as we live as His disciples by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus performed many healing miracles — there is no need to ask for more signs. Get on with the mission Jesus has set out for you to do as His disciple.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

Mark 8:11-13

11 The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.