Daily Readings - Thu Feb 28 2019
Mark
41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.49For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the seriousness of sin and the call to live a life of radical discipleship. In the first reading from Sirach, we are warned against trusting in wealth and worldly possessions, reminded that true security comes not from what we own but from our relationship with God. Sirach urges us to avoid complacency and to turn to the Lord without delay, for God’s mercy is great, but so is His justice. This wisdom literature, written in the Hellenistic period, encourages Jews to remain faithful amidst the temptations of wealth and cultural assimilation, emphasizing the importance of humility and trust in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus’ stark teachings on sin and its consequences. Jesus uses dramatic imagery—cutting off hands, feet, and eyes—to emphasize the need to take sin seriously and to remove whatever leads us into it. He also reminds us that we are called to be “salted with fire,” a metaphor for the purification and transformation that come through living out our faith. This passage, part of Jesus’ broader teachings on discipleship, underscores the radical commitment required to follow Him. Together, the readings from Sirach and Mark challenge us to examine our lives, to let go of attachments that hinder our relationship with God, and to embrace the transformative power of faith.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to self-reflection and conversion. We are invited to ask ourselves: What are the “hands, feet, or eyes” in our lives that lead us away from God? What attachments or sins do we cling to, and how can we let them go? Sirach reminds us that God’s mercy is abundant, but it is not an excuse for complacency. Mark urges us to take bold steps to live as disciples, even if it means sacrifice. Together, they offer a balanced message: trust in God’s mercy, but also take responsibility for your spiritual life. Let us pray for the grace to live with integrity, to turn away from sin, and to be salt and light in a world that so desperately needs it.