Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 26, 2018
First Reading: James 5.13-20
13Is any of you sad? Let him pray. Is he even-tempered? Let him sing psalms14Is anyone ill among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord15And a prayer of faith will save the infirm, and the Lord will alleviate him. And if he has sins, these will be forgiven him16Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be saved. For the unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things17Elijah was a mortal man like us, and in prayer he prayed that it would not rain upon the earth. And it did not rain for three years and six months18And he prayed again. And the heavens gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit19My brothers, if anyone of you strays from the truth, and if someone converts him20he ought to know that whoever causes a sinner to be converted from the error of his ways will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins
Psalm 141
1A Psalm of David. O Lord, I have cried out to you, hear me. Attend to my voice, when I cry out to you2Let my prayer be guided like incense in your sight: the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice3O Lord, station a guard over my mouth and a door enclosing my lips4Do not turn aside my heart to words of malice, to making excuses for sins, with men who work iniquity; and I will not communicate, even with the best of them5The just one will correct me with mercy, and he will rebuke me. But do not allow the oil of the sinner to fatten my head. For my prayer will still be toward their good will6Their judges have been engulfed, joined to the rocks. They will hear my words, which have prevailed7as when the lava of the earth has erupted above ground. Our bones have been scattered beside Hell8For Lord, O Lord, my eyes look to you. In you, I have hoped. Do not take away my soul9Protect me from the snare that they have set up for me and from the scandals of those who work iniquity10The sinners will fall into his net. I am alone, until I pass over
Gospel: Mark 10.13-16
13And they brought to him the little children, so that he might touch them. But the disciples admonished those who brought them14But when Jesus saw this, he took offense, and he said to them: "Allow the little ones to come to me, and do not prohibit them. For of such as these is the kingdom of God15Amen I say to you, whoever will not accept the kingdom of God like a little child, will not enter into it.16And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, humility, and community. The first reading from James encourages us to turn to prayer in times of sorrow or illness, emphasizing the role of faith in healing and the importance of confessing sins to one another for spiritual well-being. It also highlights the impact of prayer, using Elijah as an example of how persistent prayer can effect change. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus teaching on the value of childlike faith, stressing that the Kingdom of God is accessible to those who approach it with humility and trust, as children do.
Both readings, though distinct, share a common thread of faith and trust in God. James focuses on active faith within the community, where prayer and support for one another are essential. Mark's Gospel illustrates the humility required to embrace God's grace, using children as a model of such humility. Together, they remind us that faith is not just personal but also communal, involving care for others and a willingness to approach God with simplicity and trust.
In our daily lives, these teachings invite us to cultivate humility and trust in God. We are called to be approachable and open, much like children, and to actively support one another through prayer and compassion. The moral lesson here is the transformative power of faith and humility, and the vital role of community in our spiritual journey. Let us strive to embody these qualities, trusting in God's providence and caring for each other as we walk in faith.