Daily Readings - Wed May 26 2021
Sirach
1O God of all, take pity on us, and look with favor on us, and show us the light of your compassion2And send your fear upon the Gentiles, who have not sought you, so that they may acknowledge that there is no God except you, and so that they may declare your great deeds5So may they know you, as we also have known you. For there is no God apart from you, O Lord6Renew your signs, and work new wonders13Gather together all the tribes of Jacob, so that they may acknowledge that there is no God except you, and so that they may declare your great deeds. And you will inherit them, as from the beginning14Take pity on your people, over whom your name has been invoked, and on Israel, whom you have treated as your firstborn15Take pity on Jerusalem, the city of your sanctification, the city of your rest16Fill Zion with your ineffable words, and fill your people with your glory17Give testimony to those who have been your creations from the beginning, and lift up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in your name18Give a reward to those who endure for you, so that your prophets may be found to be faithful. And heed the prayers of your servants19in accord with the blessing of Aaron over your people. And direct us in the way of justice, and let all who inhabit the earth know that you are God, the Beholder of all ages20The belly can devour any food, yet one meal is better than another21The palate tests the meat of wild animals, and the understanding heart tests false words22A corrupt heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will resist it
Mark
32Now they were on the way ascending to Jerusalem. And Jesus went ahead of them, and they were astonished. And those following him were afraid. And again, taking aside the twelve, he began to tell them what was about to happen to him33"For behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be handed over to the leaders of the priests, and to the scribes, and the elders. And they will condemn him to death, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles34And they will mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and put him to death. And on the third day, he will rise again.35And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, drew near to him, saying, "Teacher, we wish that whatever we will ask, you would do for us.36But he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?37And they said, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your glory.38But Jesus said to them: "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the chalice from which I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized?39But they said to him, "We can." Then Jesus said to them: "Indeed, you shall drink from the chalice, from which I drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism, with which I am to be baptized40But to sit at my right, or at my left, is not mine to give to you, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.41And the ten, upon hearing this, began to be indignant toward James and John42But Jesus, calling them, said to them: "You know that those who seem to be leaders among the Gentiles dominate them, and their leaders exercise authority over them43But it is not to be this way among you. Instead, whoever would become greater shall be your minister44and whoever will be first among you shall be the servant of all45So, too, the Son of man has not come so that they would minister to him, but so that he would minister and would give his life as a redemption for many.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of compassion, service, and humility. In Sirach, we hear a heartfelt prayer pleading for God’s mercy and the recognition of His presence among all nations. It emphasizes God’s power and the desire for His glory to be known, urging us to trust in His justice and guidance. This prayer, rooted in a deep faith, calls us to seek God’s compassion and to live according to His will.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus’ prediction of His passion and resurrection, followed by a lesson on true leadership. Jesus explains that His mission involves suffering and self-giving love, challenging His disciples to embrace humility. When James and John seek positions of honor, Jesus teaches that greatness in His kingdom is measured by service, not power. This lesson is a call to follow Jesus’ example, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal ambition.
These readings connect through their emphasis on humility and service. Sirach’s prayer for God’s compassion and Mark’s portrayal of Jesus’ mission both highlight the importance of surrendering our desires to serve others. In our daily lives, this means embracing humility and seeking opportunities to serve, whether in small acts of kindness or in larger commitments. The moral lesson here is clear: true greatness is found in serving others, just as Jesus did. Let us strive to follow His example, living with compassion and humility, and trusting in God’s guidance on our journey.