Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 26, 2022
First Reading: James 5.13-20
13Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.14Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Psalm 141
1LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.3Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.4Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.6When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.7Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.8But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.9Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
Gospel: Mark 10.13-16
13And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.14But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.16And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed 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.