Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 25, 2022
First Reading: James 5.9-12
9Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.10As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.11Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.12But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Gospel: Mark 10.1-12
1And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.2And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"3He answered them, "What did Moses command you?"4They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away."5And Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.6But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.'7'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,8and they shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.9What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."10And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.11And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her,12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of fidelity and integrity in our relationships, both within our communities and in our personal lives. The first reading from James encourages patience and truthfulness amidst hardships. James reminds us that enduring trials with patience is a testament to our faith, using the prophets and Job as examples. He also warns against the casual use of oaths, urging us to let our words be our bond, reflecting a deeper commitment to truth and integrity.
The Gospel from Mark shifts our focus to the permanence of marriage. Jesus, when questioned about divorce, emphasizes God's original plan for one man and one woman to be united. He challenges the cultural norms of His time, asserting that marriage is a sacred bond that should not be broken. This teaching extends beyond marriage to all our relationships, calling us to fidelity and perseverance.
Both readings remind us that our commitments, whether in community or marriage, are reflections of our fidelity to God's will. In our daily lives, this means embracing patience and integrity, standing firm in our commitments, and nurturing our relationships with truth and perseverance. May we strive to live with such fidelity, trusting in God's mercy and compassion as we navigate life's challenges.