Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 4, 2025
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
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of faith, commitment, and the rewards of living a virtuous life. The First Reading from Sirach emphasizes the importance of living according to God's commandments and the value of acts of mercy and justice. It reminds us that our offerings to God, whether through prayer, sacrifice, or acts of charity, are pleasing to Him when done with a sincere and generous heart. The Gospel from Mark, on the other hand, highlights the radical commitment required of those who follow Jesus. Peter and the other disciples have left everything behind to follow Christ, and Jesus assures them that their sacrifices will be abundantly rewarded, both in this life and in the life to come.
The readings are connected by the theme of surrender and trust in God's providence. Sirach teaches us that living a life of integrity and generosity is not just a duty but a way of expressing our love and gratitude to God. Mark's Gospel takes this a step further, showing that true discipleship requires us to let go of our attachments and trust that God will provide for us in ways we cannot yet imagine. Both readings encourage us to live with faith and courage, knowing that our efforts to follow God's will, though sometimes difficult, are ultimately fruitful.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded that our faith is not just about what we believe but also about how we live. We are called to be generous with our time, talents, and resources, trusting that God will multiply our efforts and bless us in ways we cannot see. Let us strive to live with integrity, to act with compassion, and to trust in God's promise that our sacrifices will bear fruit. May we, like the disciples, be willing to leave behind what holds us back and follow Jesus with courage and hope, knowing that eternal life awaits those who remain faithful.