Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 20, 2020

First Reading: James 2.1-9

¹My brothers, within the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not choose to show favoritism toward persons²For if a man has entered your assembly having a gold ring and splendid apparel, and if a poor man has also entered, in dirty clothing³and if you are then attentive to the one who is clothed in excellent apparel, so that you say to him, "You may sit in this good place," but you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit below my footstool,⁴are you not judging within yourselves, and have you not become judges with unjust thoughts⁵My most beloved brothers, listen. Has not God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to those who love him⁶But you have dishonored the poor. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you through power? And are not they the ones who drag you to judgment⁷Are not they the ones who blaspheme the good name which has been invoked over you⁸So if you perfect the regal law, according to the Scriptures, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," then you do well⁹But if you show favoritism to persons, then you commit a sin, having been convicted again by the law as transgressors

Psalm 34

Psalms

Chapter 34

¹To David, when he changed his appearance in the sight of Abimelech, and so he dismissed him, and he went away. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be ever in my mouth²In the Lord, my soul will be praised. May the meek listen and rejoice³Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his name in itself⁴I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, and he carried me away from all my tribulations⁵Approach him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be confounded⁶This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, and he saved him from all his tribulations⁷The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, and he will rescue them⁸Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. Blessed is the man who hopes in him⁹Fear the Lord, all you his saints. For there is no destitution for those who fear him¹⁰The rich have been needy and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing¹¹Come forward, sons. Listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord¹²Which is the man who wills life, who chooses to see good days¹³Prohibit your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit¹⁴Turn away from evil, and do good. Inquire about peace, and pursue it¹⁵The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and his ears are with their prayers¹⁶But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, to perish the remembrance of them from the earth¹⁷The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, and he freed them from all their tribulations¹⁸The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, and he will save the humble in spirit¹⁹Many are the afflictions of the just, but from them all the Lord will free them²⁰The Lord preserves all of their bones, not one of them shall be broken²¹The death of a sinner is very harmful, and those who hate the just will fare badly²²The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, and none of those who hope in him will fare badly

Gospel: Mark 8.27-33

Mark

Chapter 8

²⁷And Jesus departed with his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, he questioned his disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?²⁸And they answered him by saying: "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others perhaps one of the prophets.²⁹Then he said to them, "Yet truly, who do you say that I am?" Peter responded by saying to him, "You are the Christ.³⁰And he admonished them, not to tell anyone about him³¹And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and by the high priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again³²And he spoke the word openly. And Peter, taking him aside, began to correct him³³And turning away and looking at his disciples, he admonished Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan, for you do not prefer the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on faith, humility, and discipleship. The first reading from James warns against favoritism, urging us to treat the poor with dignity, as God has chosen them to be rich in faith. James reminds us that true faith is demonstrated through actions, particularly in how we love and respect all people, regardless of their status. The Gospel from Mark presents a pivotal moment where Jesus reveals his impending suffering and resurrection. Peter's resistance highlights the human struggle to accept God's plan, but Jesus emphasizes the necessity of embracing the cross, teaching us that true discipleship requires self-denial and trust in divine providence. Both readings intertwine themes of faith and discipleship, challenging us to live out our beliefs authentically. James calls us to recognize God's presence in the marginalized, while Mark's Gospel invites us to embrace the cross, understanding that our struggles contribute to a greater purpose. Together, they remind us that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a commitment to humility and service. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to reflect on how we treat others and our willingness to carry our own crosses. Let us strive to love without favoritism and trust in God's plan, even when it is difficult. May we embrace humility and faith, recognizing that our struggles can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper union with Christ.