Daily Readings - Thu Feb 28 2019
Sirach
1Do not choose to seek iniquitous possessions, and you should not say: "I have all I need in life." For it will be of no benefit to you in the time of retribution and darkness2You should not pursue, in your strength, the desires of your heart3And you should not say: "How powerful am I?" or, "Who will cast me down because of my deeds?" For God will vindicate with vengeance4You should not say, "I sinned, and what grief has befallen me?" For the Most High is a patient recompensor5Do not be willing to be without fear concerning a forgiven sin, and you should not add sin upon sin6And you should not say: "The compassion of the Lord is great; he will take pity on the multitude of my sins.7For both mercy and wrath go forth quickly from him, and his wrath sets its gaze upon sinners8You should not delay being converted to the Lord, and you should not set it aside from day to day
Mark
41For whoever, in my name, will give you a cup of water to drink, because you belong to Christ: Amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward42And whoever will have scandalized one of these little ones who believe in me: it would be better for him if a great millstone were placed around his neck and he were thrown into the sea43And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life disabled, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the unquenchable fire44where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished45But if your foot causes you to sin, chop it off: it is better for you to enter into eternal life lame, than having two feet to be cast into the Hell of unquenchable fire46where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished47But if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out: it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into the Hell of fire48where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished49For all shall be salted with fire, and every victim shall be salted with salt50Salt is good: but if the salt has become bland, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace among yourselves.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the seriousness of sin and the call to live a life of radical discipleship. In the first reading from Sirach, we are warned against trusting in wealth and worldly possessions, reminded that true security comes not from what we own but from our relationship with God. Sirach urges us to avoid complacency and to turn to the Lord without delay, for God’s mercy is great, but so is His justice. This wisdom literature, written in the Hellenistic period, encourages Jews to remain faithful amidst the temptations of wealth and cultural assimilation, emphasizing the importance of humility and trust in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus’ stark teachings on sin and its consequences. Jesus uses dramatic imagery—cutting off hands, feet, and eyes—to emphasize the need to take sin seriously and to remove whatever leads us into it. He also reminds us that we are called to be “salted with fire,” a metaphor for the purification and transformation that come through living out our faith. This passage, part of Jesus’ broader teachings on discipleship, underscores the radical commitment required to follow Him. Together, the readings from Sirach and Mark challenge us to examine our lives, to let go of attachments that hinder our relationship with God, and to embrace the transformative power of faith.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to self-reflection and conversion. We are invited to ask ourselves: What are the “hands, feet, or eyes” in our lives that lead us away from God? What attachments or sins do we cling to, and how can we let them go? Sirach reminds us that God’s mercy is abundant, but it is not an excuse for complacency. Mark urges us to take bold steps to live as disciples, even if it means sacrifice. Together, they offer a balanced message: trust in God’s mercy, but also take responsibility for your spiritual life. Let us pray for the grace to live with integrity, to turn away from sin, and to be salt and light in a world that so desperately needs it.