Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 27, 2021
First Reading: Sirach 42.15-25
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Psalm 33
1Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.2Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.4For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.5The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.7He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.9For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.10The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.11But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.13From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;14from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-15he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.16No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.17A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.21In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.22May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Gospel: Mark 10.46-52
46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"49Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."52"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on God’s presence and action in the world. The first reading from Sirach invites us to contemplate the wonders of God’s creation and the wisdom that underlies all of existence. The author marvels at the order of the universe, the depth of God’s knowledge, and the way all things reflect his glory. This text reminds us that creation itself is a revelation of God’s majesty and that his wisdom is woven into every detail of the world. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to a specific moment of divine intervention: the healing of Bartimaeus, a blind man who cries out to Jesus for mercy. Despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him, Bartimaeus persists in his plea, and his faith is rewarded when Jesus restores his sight.
These readings are connected by their emphasis on the active presence of God in the world. In Sirach, we see God’s power and wisdom in the vastness of creation, while in Mark, we witness God’s personal and transformative touch in the life of an individual. Together, they remind us that God is both the Creator of the universe and the Savior who meets us in our specific needs and struggles. Bartimaeus’s persistence and faith serve as an example for us: like him, we must not be afraid to cry out to God, even when others try to silence us or discourage us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we recognize God’s presence in the world around us? Do we trust in his wisdom and providence? Like Bartimaeus, we are all called to approach God with humility and faith, acknowledging our limitations and inviting him to act in our lives. May we, like the blind man, cast aside our fears and doubts, and leap into the embrace of God’s grace. In doing so, we will find not only healing but also a deeper understanding of his love and a renewed commitment to follow him on the way.