Daily Readings - Thu Feb 24 2022
James
1Act now, you who are wealthy! Weep and wail in your miseries, which will soon come upon you2Your riches have been corrupted, and your garments have been eaten by moths3Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be a testimony against you, and it will eat away at your flesh like fire. You have stored up wrath for yourselves unto the last days4Consider the pay of the workers who reaped your fields: it has been misappropriated by you; it cries out. And their cry has entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts5You have feasted upon the earth, and you have nourished your hearts with luxuries, unto the day of slaughter6You led away and killed the Just One, and he did not resist you
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 challenge us to reflect on how we live our lives in relation to God and others. In the first reading from James, we hear a stern warning to those who have exploited others for wealth and comfort. James condemns the corruption of riches and the injustice of withholding fair pay from workers, emphasizing that such actions store up wrath for the last days. This passage reminds us that earthly wealth is fleeting and that our actions have eternal consequences. James calls us to live with integrity, treating others justly and not allowing our desires for luxury to lead us astray.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus teaching about the seriousness of sin and the importance of caring for others, especially the vulnerable. Jesus warns that causing scandal to one of the "little ones" is a grave offense, and He uses dramatic imagery—cutting off one’s hand, foot, or plucking out one’s eye—to emphasize the need to avoid sin at all costs. This teaching is not about literal self-mutilation but about the radical commitment required to live a life pleasing to God. Jesus also reminds us that we are called to be "salt" for the world, preserving and seasoning it with love, compassion, and justice.
Together, these readings call us to examine our priorities and actions. James urges us to avoid exploitation and greed, while Mark challenges us to live with moral integrity and care for the vulnerable. In our daily lives, this means being mindful of how our choices affect others, especially those who are marginalized or oppressed. It means living simply, treating others justly, and being willing to sacrifice our own desires for the sake of living a virtuous life. Let us strive to be salt in the world, preserving the dignity of all people and reflecting the love of God in all we do.