Daily Readings - Tue Feb 26 2019
Mark
30And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, humility, and service. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that faith in God is tested in the trials and humiliations of life. Just as gold and silver are purified in fire, so too are our hearts refined through suffering. The passage encourages us to endure patiently, trusting that God’s plan is at work even in the midst of difficulty. This is not a passive resignation but an active surrender, rooted in the belief that God’s mercy and restoration will ultimately prevail.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples about true greatness. After predicting his own death and resurrection, he challenges their ambition by placing a child in their midst. He tells them that to be first, one must be last and serve all. This is a radical reversal of the world’s values, where power and status are measured by dominance rather than service. Jesus’ words remind us that our worth is not in what we achieve but in how we love and serve others, especially the most vulnerable. Welcoming a child in his name is welcoming Jesus himself, and ultimately, the Father who sent him.
These readings call us to live out our faith in two ways: first, by trusting God in the midst of life’s challenges, and second, by embracing humility and service in our relationships with others. In a world that often values strength and self-reliance, Jesus shows us that true strength lies in vulnerability and love. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God enough to endure trials with patience and hope? Do we serve others with the humility of Christ, seeing his presence in those around us? May we grow in faith and love, becoming instruments of God’s mercy and compassion in the world.