Daily Readings - Sat Feb 26 2022
James
13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.15And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.18Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.19My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,20let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Mark
13And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.14But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith, prayer, and humility in our relationship with God and with one another. In the first reading from James, we are reminded that prayer is not just a private act but a communal one. James encourages us to pray for one another, especially in times of suffering or sin, and to seek healing through the sacraments. He emphasizes that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and can bring about great things, even changing the course of nature, as seen in the example of Elijah. This passage also highlights the importance of reconciling with one another and seeking forgiveness, for it is through such acts of humility and love that we grow closer to God.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a scene where Jesus teaches us about the kingdom of God by using the example of little children. When the disciples try to prevent the children from approaching Jesus, he corrects them, saying that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it with the simplicity and trust of a child. Jesus’ words remind us that humility and openness are essential for entering into a deeper relationship with God. The children, in their innocence and dependence, model for us the kind of faith we should strive for—a faith that is unpretentious, trusting, and open to receiving God’s love.
Together, these readings call us to live with humility and trust in God. James teaches us to rely on prayer and the support of our community, while Mark reminds us to approach God with the simplicity and openness of a child. In our daily lives, this means letting go of pride and self-reliance, and instead, turning to God with faith, especially in times of difficulty. It also means valuing the relationships around us, praying for one another, and seeking forgiveness when we fail. May we learn to trust in God’s providence and to live with the humility and dependence that brings us closer to His heart.