Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 25, 2024
First Reading: Genesis 22.1-2, 9-13, 15-18
1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.15And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,16And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Psalm 116
1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.4Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.8For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:11I said in my haste, All men are liars.12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,19In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Second Reading: Romans 8.31b-35, 37
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Gospel: Mark 9.2-10
2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.4And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.8And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.10And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons about faith, trust, and divine revelation. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Abraham and Isaac, a seminal test of faith where Abraham's unwavering obedience to God is rewarded. This narrative underscores the theme of trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. The second reading from Romans, written by Paul, reassures us of God's unwavering support, emphasizing that if God is for us, no adversity can prevail against us. This passage highlights the triumph of Christ's love and the strength it provides believers. The Gospel from Mark describes the Transfiguration, a moment where Jesus' divine glory is revealed to Peter, James, and John, reinforcing their faith and preparing them for the challenges ahead.
These readings are intricately connected, each illuminating aspects of faith and trust. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac exemplifies the faith that underpins Christian belief, while Paul's words in Romans elaborate on the assurance and support believers receive from God. The Transfiguration in Mark serves as a visual affirmation of Jesus' divine nature, urging the disciples—and us—to listen to and follow Him. Together, they remind us that faith is not passive but active, requiring us to trust and obey God's will, even when it's challenging.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are encouraged to trust God in all circumstances, just as Abraham did. The Romans passage reminds us to lean on God's love and support during trials, knowing that Christ's intercession strengthens us. The Transfiguration invites us to focus on Jesus, seeking His guidance and comfort, especially in difficult times. The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God lead to strength and understanding of His plan. Just as Abraham and the disciples found sustenance in their faith, we too can find comfort and guidance by trusting in God and heeding His Word. Let us embrace this faith, allowing it to transform our lives and deepen our relationship with Him.