Daily Readings - Sat Jun 03 2023
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
The first reading from Sirach and the Gospel of Mark both invite us to reflect on the nature of authority, trust, and our relationship with God. In Sirach, the author expresses deep gratitude for God’s deliverance and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and prayer. The passage highlights the journey of seeking wisdom from youth, a pursuit that brings joy and guidance. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders who question his authority. Jesus responds with a question about the origin of John the Baptist’s baptism, forcing them to examine their own beliefs and allegiances.
The readings are connected by the theme of trust and surrender to God’s plan. Sirach’s focus on perseverance and prayer reminds us that our faith is not just about fleeting moments but about a lifelong commitment to seeking God’s wisdom. Mark’s Gospel challenges us to reflect on the source of our own authority and the authenticity of our faith. Just as the leaders in the Gospel struggle with acknowledging the truth, we too may find ourselves hesitant to fully trust in God’s plan or to admit our limitations.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace humility and honesty. Like the leaders in the Gospel, we may sometimes feel pressured to have all the answers, but true wisdom lies in acknowledging our dependence on God. Let us approach life’s challenges with the perseverance and gratitude expressed in Sirach, trusting that God will guide us. May we also have the courage to examine our own hearts, as Jesus invites us to do, and to seek wisdom and truth in every moment.