Daily Readings - Tue Feb 21 2023
Sirach
1Son, when you apply yourself to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare your soul for temptation2Humble your heart, and persevere. Incline your ear, and accept words of understanding. And you should not hurry away in the time of distress3Endure steadfastly for God. Join yourself to God, and persevere, so that your life may increase in the very end4Accept everything that will happen to you, and persevere in your sorrow, and have patience in your humiliation5For gold and silver are tested in fire, yet truly, acceptable men are tested in the furnace of humiliation6Believe God, and he will restore you to health. And straighten your way, and hope in him. Observe his fear, and grow old in it7You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy. And do not turn away from him, lest you fall8You who fear the Lord, believe in him. And your reward will not be taken away9You who fear the Lord, hope in him. And mercy will approach you, to your delight10You who fear the Lord, love him. And your hearts will be illuminated11My sons, consider the nations of men, and know that not one of them hoped in the Lord and was confounded
Mark
30And setting out from there, they passed through Galilee. And he intended that no one know about it31Then he taught his disciples, and he said to them, "For the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and having been killed, on the third day he will rise again.32But they did not understand the word. And they were afraid to question him33And they went to Capernaum. And when they were in the house, he questioned them, "What did you discuss on the way?34But they were silent. For indeed, on the way, they had disputed among themselves as to which of them was greater35And sitting down, he called the twelve, and he said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be the last of all and the minister of all.36And taking a child, he set him in their midst. And when he had embraced him, he said to them37"Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives not me, but him who sent me.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust in God’s providence, humility, and selfless service. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that true wisdom lies in enduring trials with patience and faith, believing that God’s plan is at work even in the midst of suffering. The author encourages us to embrace humility and perseverance, trusting that God will restore and reward those who remain faithful. This passage is part of a larger section in Sirach that emphasizes the importance of living virtuously and trusting in God’s wisdom, even when life’s challenges seem overwhelming.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus teaching his disciples about his impending passion and resurrection, but they fail to understand. Their confusion leads to an argument about who is the greatest among them. Jesus responds by teaching them that true greatness lies in humility and service. He uses a child as an example, emphasizing that receiving the vulnerable and the weak with love is equivalent to receiving Christ himself. This passage is part of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, where he repeatedly emphasizes the cost of discipleship and the necessity of living with humility and compassion.
Together, these readings call us to re-examine our priorities and our relationship with God and others. Sirach reminds us to trust in God’s plan, even when the road is difficult, while Mark’s Gospel challenges us to embrace humility and serve others selflessly. In our daily lives, we are invited to let go of our need for control and recognition, and instead, to trust in God’s providence and to love and serve those around us, especially the most vulnerable. May we strive to live with the humility and faith that these readings inspire, trusting that God’s mercy and love will guide us through every trial.