Daily Readings - Sat May 29 2021
Sirach
12For you rescue those who persevere for you, O Lord, and you free them from the hands of the Gentiles13You exalted my habitation upon the earth, and I made supplication that death would pass away14I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, so that he would not abandon me in the day of my tribulation, nor in the time of arrogance without assistance15I will praise your name unceasingly, and I will praise it with thanksgiving, for my prayer was heeded16And you freed me from perdition, and you rescued me from the time of iniquity17Because of this, I will give thanks and praise to you, and I will bless the name of the Lord18When I was still young, before I wandered astray, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer19I asked for her before the temple, and even to the very end, I will inquire after her. And she flourished like a newly-ripened grape20My heart rejoiced in her. My feet walked in the right path. From my youth, I pursued her
Mark
27And they went again to Jerusalem. And when he was walking in the temple, the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, and the elders approached him28And they said to him: "By what authority do you do these things? And who has given you this authority, so that you would do these things?29But in response, Jesus said to them: "I also will ask you one word, and if you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things30The baptism of John: was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.31But they discussed it among themselves, saying: "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?32If we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people. For they all hold that John was a true prophet.33And answering, they said to Jesus, "We do not know." And in response, Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of trust, wisdom, and the nature of authority. The first reading from Sirach expresses a deep trust in God’s deliverance and a lifelong pursuit of wisdom. The author rejoices in how God has heard their prayers and guided them from youth, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom and staying on the right path. This passage reminds us that our relationship with God is one of gratitude and perseverance, trusting that He will see us through times of trouble.
The Gospel from Mark presents a different dynamic, as Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders about His authority. Jesus’ response challenges them to reflect on their own beliefs about John the Baptist, leaving them unable to answer. This exchange highlights the tension between outward appearances of piety and the deeper, personal commitment to faith. The leaders are trapped by their fear of what others might think, while Jesus invites them—and us—to examine the authenticity of our faith.
These readings remind us that faith is not about external appearances or intellectual assent but about a genuine, personal relationship with God. Like the author of Sirach, we are called to trust in God’s providence and seek wisdom with our whole hearts. At the same time, Jesus’ encounter with the leaders challenges us to move beyond superficial religion and to ground our lives in a deep, abiding faith. May we, like the psalmist, cultivate hearts that truly seek God, and may our actions reflect the authenticity of our commitment to Him.