Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 5, 2019

First Reading: Sirach 35.1-15

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Psalm 50

¹The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.²From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.³Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.⁴He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:⁵"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."⁶And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah⁷"Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.⁸I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.⁹I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,¹⁰for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.¹¹I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.¹²If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.¹³Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?¹⁴Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,¹⁵and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."¹⁶But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?¹⁷You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.¹⁸When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.¹⁹You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.²⁰You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.²¹These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.²²"Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:²³He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

Gospel: Mark 10.28-31

Mark

Chapter 10

²⁸Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"²⁹"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel³⁰will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.³¹But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of sacrifice, obedience, and the rewards that come from living a life faithful to God. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that true sacrifice is not just about outward offerings but about living justly and following God’s commandments. The author emphasizes that acts of mercy, gratitude, and justice are pleasing to God and are a form of worship. This passage encourages us to approach our relationship with God with integrity, generosity, and a willingness to let go of sin and injustice. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Peter about the sacrifices required of those who follow Him. Peter and the other disciples had left behind their homes, families, and possessions to follow Jesus, and Jesus assures them that their sacrifices will be abundantly rewarded. However, Jesus also reminds them that the rewards come with persecutions and challenges, and that the ultimate reward is eternal life. This passage challenges us to think about what it means to prioritize our faith in our lives and to trust in God’s providence, even when the path is difficult. Together, these readings teach us that living a life of faith requires sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice that is richly rewarded. Sirach reminds us that our actions matter—how we treat others, how we live justly, and how we give generously are all forms of worship. Mark’s Gospel reminds us that following Jesus may require us to let go of worldly attachments and to embrace the challenges of discipleship. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living with integrity? Are we trusting in God’s plan even when it’s difficult? And are we open to receiving the blessings and graces that God offers us? May we find the strength to live faithfully, knowing that our sacrifices are not in vain, and that eternal life awaits those who remain true to God’s call.