Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 25, 2018
First Reading: James 5.9-12
9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.12Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.
Psalm 103
1Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.19The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.20Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.21Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.22Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Gospel: Mark 10.1-12
1Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"3"What did Moses command you?" he replied.4They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away."5"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied.6"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'7'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,8and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one.9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."10When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this.11He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.12And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of fidelity, integrity, and the enduring nature of commitments made in love. In the first reading from James, we are reminded not to complain against one another or swear oaths, as our words and actions should reflect the sincerity of our hearts. James encourages patience and trust in God’s providence, even in the face of trials, using the example of the prophets and the patience of Job to illustrate the value of enduring hardship with faith. This passage calls us to live with honesty and humility, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or deceive others through our words or actions.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the question of marriage and divorce, emphasizing the permanence of the union between a man and a woman as God originally intended. The Pharisees approach Jesus with a question about the legality of divorce, but Jesus goes deeper, pointing to the heart of the matter. He reminds us that marriage is not merely a human institution but a sacred bond established by God. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to understand marriage as a lifelong commitment rooted in love, fidelity, and mutual support, rather than a temporary arrangement that can be easily discarded.
Together, these readings encourage us to live with integrity and fidelity in all our relationships. James calls us to sincerity in our words and actions, while Jesus emphasizes the importance of upholding the sacred commitments we make to one another. In our daily lives, this means being truthful and reliable in our interactions, avoiding unnecessary oaths or complaints, and striving to build relationships that reflect the love and faithfulness of God. Let us ask for the grace to live with patience, honesty, and perseverance, trusting that God’s plan for us is one of mercy, compassion, and enduring love.