Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 30, 2023

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 true worship, sacrifice, and the rewards of following God’s will. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that genuine worship is not just about rituals or offerings but about living a life of integrity and justice. The author emphasizes that withdrawing from injustice and acting with mercy are far more pleasing to God than any material sacrifice. This passage underscores the importance of aligning our actions with God’s commandments, for it is in doing so that we truly honor Him. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the sacrifices we make for the sake of the Gospel. Peter, speaking on behalf of the disciples, acknowledges the great sacrifices they have made to follow Jesus. In response, Jesus promises that those who give up worldly attachments for His sake will receive abundantly, both in this life and in the eternal life to come. However, He also warns that the first will often be last, reminding us that true greatness in God’s eyes is not measured by worldly standards. The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on living a life of detachment and trust in God’s providence. Sirach teaches us that true sacrifice is about moral integrity and generosity, while Mark’s Gospel highlights the radical call to follow Jesus without being bound by worldly possessions or status. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God must be rooted in faith, trust, and a willingness to let go of what holds us back from living according to His will. This is not to say that we must all become perfect or achieve some heroic level of holiness. Rather, it is about living each day with intentionality, seeking to align our choices and actions with God’s plan for us. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: What are the attachments or injustices in my life that I need to let go of? How can I live more generously and justly, not just in my actions but in my heart? The moral lesson here is clear: our ultimate fulfillment and joy come not from what we accumulate or achieve in this world but from our relationship with God. By trusting in His providence and striving to live according to His will, we open ourselves to the abundant life He promises. Let us embrace this call to live with integrity, mercy, and detachment, knowing that true greatness in God’s eyes is not about what we have but about how we love and serve Him and others.