Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 17, 2022
First Reading: James 2.1-9
1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet,"4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Psalm 34
1I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.9Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;16the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;20he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Gospel: Mark 8.27-33
27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ. "30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, discipleship, and the call to live according to God’s will. In the first reading from James, we are reminded that true faith is not about outward appearances or showing favoritism, but about living out the royal law: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” James challenges us to examine how we treat others, especially the poor and the marginalized, for it is in our actions toward them that we reveal whether our faith is genuine. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the identity of Jesus and the cost of following Him. Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ is a moment of great faith, but it is quickly followed by a misunderstanding of what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah. Jesus teaches His disciples that His path is one of suffering, rejection, and ultimately resurrection, and He calls them—and us—to embrace this same path of self-denial and fidelity to God’s plan.
The two readings are connected by the theme of living out one’s faith in a way that aligns with God’s will, rather than our own preferences or worldly standards. James warns against the temptation to judge others based on appearances or social status, while Mark highlights the temptation to follow a version of Christianity that avoids the cross. Both readings call us to humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to let go of our own agendas in order to follow God’s plan. This is not always easy, as Peter’s reaction shows, but it is essential for true discipleship.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we treat others and how we understand our relationship with God. Do we show favoritism or judge others unfairly? Are we willing to embrace the sacrifices and challenges that come with following Christ? The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out in love, humility, and a commitment to God’s will, even when it leads us to places we would rather not go. Let us ask for the grace to see others as God sees them and to follow Jesus with courage and fidelity, trusting that His plan, though difficult, leads to true life and resurrection.