Daily Readings - Tue Feb 25 2025
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, humility, and service. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that faith in God is tested through trials and humiliations. The author encourages us to endure patiently, believing that God will restore us and bring us to a place of deeper understanding and holiness. This passage emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of suffering, trusting that God’s plan is at work even when we cannot see it clearly. It is a call to humility and surrender, recognizing that true strength comes not from our own efforts but from our reliance on God.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples about the nature of his mission and the true meaning of greatness. He predicts his own suffering and death, but the disciples are unable to grasp the significance of his words. Later, when they argue about who is the greatest among them, Jesus uses a child as an example of humility and innocence. He teaches that true greatness is found in serving others, not in seeking power or status. This passage challenges us to re-examine our priorities and to embrace a life of selfless love and service, just as Jesus did.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not about avoiding challenges or seeking recognition, but about trusting God in the midst of trials and living with humility and compassion. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace the crosses we bear with patience and faith, knowing that God is with us. We are also invited to let go of our own ambitions and desires for greatness, instead choosing to serve others in love. By doing so, we not only grow closer to God but also become instruments of his mercy and grace in the world. Let us strive to live out these teachings, trusting in God’s plan and serving one another with humility and love.