Daily Readings - Wed May 26 2021
Mark
32And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,33Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:34And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.35And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.36And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?37They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.38But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?39And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:40But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.41And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.42But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of compassion, service, and humility. In Sirach, we hear a heartfelt prayer pleading for God’s mercy and the recognition of His presence among all nations. It emphasizes God’s power and the desire for His glory to be known, urging us to trust in His justice and guidance. This prayer, rooted in a deep faith, calls us to seek God’s compassion and to live according to His will.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus’ prediction of His passion and resurrection, followed by a lesson on true leadership. Jesus explains that His mission involves suffering and self-giving love, challenging His disciples to embrace humility. When James and John seek positions of honor, Jesus teaches that greatness in His kingdom is measured by service, not power. This lesson is a call to follow Jesus’ example, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal ambition.
These readings connect through their emphasis on humility and service. Sirach’s prayer for God’s compassion and Mark’s portrayal of Jesus’ mission both highlight the importance of surrendering our desires to serve others. In our daily lives, this means embracing humility and seeking opportunities to serve, whether in small acts of kindness or in larger commitments. The moral lesson here is clear: true greatness is found in serving others, just as Jesus did. Let us strive to follow His example, living with compassion and humility, and trusting in God’s guidance on our journey.