Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 30, 2023
First Reading: Sirach 35.1-15
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Psalm 50
1The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.4He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.5Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.7Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.9I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.10For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.11I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.12If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.13Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.18When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.22Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
Gospel: Mark 10.28-31
28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true worship, sacrifice, and the rewards of following God’s will. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that genuine worship is not just about rituals or offerings but about living a life of integrity and justice. The author emphasizes that withdrawing from injustice and acting with mercy are far more pleasing to God than any material sacrifice. This passage underscores the importance of aligning our actions with God’s commandments, for it is in doing so that we truly honor Him. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the sacrifices we make for the sake of the Gospel. Peter, speaking on behalf of the disciples, acknowledges the great sacrifices they have made to follow Jesus. In response, Jesus promises that those who give up worldly attachments for His sake will receive abundantly, both in this life and in the eternal life to come. However, He also warns that the first will often be last, reminding us that true greatness in God’s eyes is not measured by worldly standards.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on living a life of detachment and trust in God’s providence. Sirach teaches us that true sacrifice is about moral integrity and generosity, while Mark’s Gospel highlights the radical call to follow Jesus without being bound by worldly possessions or status. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God must be rooted in faith, trust, and a willingness to let go of what holds us back from living according to His will. This is not to say that we must all become perfect or achieve some heroic level of holiness. Rather, it is about living each day with intentionality, seeking to align our choices and actions with God’s plan for us.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: What are the attachments or injustices in my life that I need to let go of? How can I live more generously and justly, not just in my actions but in my heart? The moral lesson here is clear: our ultimate fulfillment and joy come not from what we accumulate or achieve in this world but from our relationship with God. By trusting in His providence and striving to live according to His will, we open ourselves to the abundant life He promises. Let us embrace this call to live with integrity, mercy, and detachment, knowing that true greatness in God’s eyes is not about what we have but about how we love and serve Him and others.