Daily Readings - Sat May 25 2024
James
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.
Mark
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
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, prayer, and humility. The Epistle from James reminds us of the transformative power of prayer and community support. James encourages us to turn to prayer in all circumstances—whether we are sad, joyful, or ill. He emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other's healing, both physical and spiritual. James also highlights the effectiveness of prayer through the example of Elijah, who, despite being human, could move mountains through his prayers. This reading calls us to a life of faith and mutual support within our communities.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God. When the disciples try to prevent children from approaching Jesus, He is displeased and declares that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it with the simplicity and humility of a child. Jesus then blesses the children, illustrating the importance of childlike faith. This passage reminds us that true greatness in God's eyes comes from humility and trust, not from power or status.
These readings together invite us to embrace a life of faith and humility. James shows us that prayer and community are essential for living out our faith, while Mark's Gospel reminds us that the kingdom of God is accessible to those who approach it with the openness and trust of a child. In our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate this childlike faith, turning to prayer in all circumstances and supporting one another in our spiritual journeys. May we humbly trust in God's providence and seek to build up one another in love and faith.