Daily Readings - Sat May 25 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, prayer, and humility. The Epistle from James reminds us of the transformative power of prayer and community support. James encourages us to turn to prayer in all circumstances—whether we are sad, joyful, or ill. He emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other's healing, both physical and spiritual. James also highlights the effectiveness of prayer through the example of Elijah, who, despite being human, could move mountains through his prayers. This reading calls us to a life of faith and mutual support within our communities.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God. When the disciples try to prevent children from approaching Jesus, He is displeased and declares that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it with the simplicity and humility of a child. Jesus then blesses the children, illustrating the importance of childlike faith. This passage reminds us that true greatness in God's eyes comes from humility and trust, not from power or status.
These readings together invite us to embrace a life of faith and humility. James shows us that prayer and community are essential for living out our faith, while Mark's Gospel reminds us that the kingdom of God is accessible to those who approach it with the openness and trust of a child. In our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate this childlike faith, turning to prayer in all circumstances and supporting one another in our spiritual journeys. May we humbly trust in God's providence and seek to build up one another in love and faith.