Daily Readings - Wed Feb 27 2019
Sirach
11And then you shall be like an obedient son of the Most High, and he will take pity on you more than a mother would12Wisdom breathes life into her sons, and she lifts up those who are seeking her, and she will precede them in the way of justice13And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights14Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless15Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom16He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure17If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed18For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning19She will lead fear and dread and trials over him, and she will crucify him with the tribulation of her doctrine, until she has tested him in his thoughts and she can trust in his soul
Mark
38John responded to him by saying, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name; he does not follow us, and so we prohibited him.39But Jesus said: "Do not prohibit him. For there is no one who can act with virtue in my name and soon speak evil about me40For whoever is not against you is for you
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about wisdom, inclusion, and the nature of God’s work in the world. The first reading from Sirach personifies Wisdom as a nurturing mother who guides her children and leads them to life. She is depicted as one who tests and refines her followers, ultimately revealing her truth to those who trust in her. This passage emphasizes the transformative power of seeking and embracing Wisdom, which is not just knowledge but a way of living in harmony with God’s will.
The Gospel from Mark shifts our focus to a moment of tension among Jesus’ disciples. John reports that someone outside their group is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and they tried to stop him. Jesus responds with a principle that challenges their narrow understanding: “No one who works a deed of power in my name will soon be able to speak ill of me. Whoever is not against us is for us.” This teaching reminds us that God’s work is not confined to a select group. True discipleship is not about exclusivity but about recognizing that anyone who does good in Jesus’ name is a partner in his mission.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own attitudes toward others. Sirach reminds us that Wisdom is not possessive or exclusive; she seeks to guide all who are willing to listen. Mark’s Gospel challenges us to let go of our tendencies to control or judge others who may be serving God in ways different from our own. In our daily lives, this means embracing humility and openness, trusting that God is at work in unexpected places and through unexpected people. Let us strive to be like Wisdom, nurturing and inclusive, and to follow Jesus’ example by welcoming rather than hindering those who seek to do good.