Daily Readings - Thu May 27 2021
Sirach
15And now, I will remember the works of the Lord, and I will announce what I have seen. The words of the Lord are in his works16The sun illuminates and considers all things, and its work shows the fullness of the glory of the Lord17Has not the Lord caused the holy ones to describe all his miracles, which the all-powerful Lord has firmly established in his glory18He has examined the abyss and the hearts of men. And he has considered their astuteness19For the Lord comprehends all knowledge, and he has gazed upon the signs of the times: announcing the things of the past, as well as the things of the future, and revealing the traces of hidden things20No thought passes by him unnoticed, and no word can conceal itself from him21He has adorned the magnificent works of his wisdom. He is before eternity and even unto eternity. And nothing can be added22and nothing can be taken away. And he has no need of any counselor23O how desirable are all his works! And all that we consider is but a spark24All these works exist, and they remain in the present age, and they all obey him in every purpose25All things are two-fold, one facing another, and he has not made anything to be lacking
Mark
46And they went to Jericho. And as he was setting out from Jericho with his disciples and a very numerous multitude, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, a blind man, sat begging beside the way47And when he had heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and to say, "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me.48And many admonished him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, take pity on me.49And Jesus, standing still, instructed him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying to him: "Be at peace. Arise. He is calling you.50And casting aside his garment, he leapt up and went to him51And in response, Jesus said to him, "What do you want, that I should do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, that I may see.52Then Jesus said to him, "Go, your faith has made you whole." And immediately he saw, and he followed him on the way
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on God’s presence and action in the world. The first reading from Sirach invites us to contemplate the wonders of God’s creation and the wisdom that underlies all of existence. The author marvels at the order of the universe, the depth of God’s knowledge, and the way all things reflect his glory. This text reminds us that creation itself is a revelation of God’s majesty and that his wisdom is woven into every detail of the world. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to a specific moment of divine intervention: the healing of Bartimaeus, a blind man who cries out to Jesus for mercy. Despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him, Bartimaeus persists in his plea, and his faith is rewarded when Jesus restores his sight.
These readings are connected by their emphasis on the active presence of God in the world. In Sirach, we see God’s power and wisdom in the vastness of creation, while in Mark, we witness God’s personal and transformative touch in the life of an individual. Together, they remind us that God is both the Creator of the universe and the Savior who meets us in our specific needs and struggles. Bartimaeus’s persistence and faith serve as an example for us: like him, we must not be afraid to cry out to God, even when others try to silence us or discourage us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we recognize God’s presence in the world around us? Do we trust in his wisdom and providence? Like Bartimaeus, we are all called to approach God with humility and faith, acknowledging our limitations and inviting him to act in our lives. May we, like the blind man, cast aside our fears and doubts, and leap into the embrace of God’s grace. In doing so, we will find not only healing but also a deeper understanding of his love and a renewed commitment to follow him on the way.