Daily Readings - Sat May 25 2024
James
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Mark
13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, prayer, and humility. The Epistle from James reminds us of the transformative power of prayer and community support. James encourages us to turn to prayer in all circumstances—whether we are sad, joyful, or ill. He emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other's healing, both physical and spiritual. James also highlights the effectiveness of prayer through the example of Elijah, who, despite being human, could move mountains through his prayers. This reading calls us to a life of faith and mutual support within our communities.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God. When the disciples try to prevent children from approaching Jesus, He is displeased and declares that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it with the simplicity and humility of a child. Jesus then blesses the children, illustrating the importance of childlike faith. This passage reminds us that true greatness in God's eyes comes from humility and trust, not from power or status.
These readings together invite us to embrace a life of faith and humility. James shows us that prayer and community are essential for living out our faith, while Mark's Gospel reminds us that the kingdom of God is accessible to those who approach it with the openness and trust of a child. In our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate this childlike faith, turning to prayer in all circumstances and supporting one another in our spiritual journeys. May we humbly trust in God's providence and seek to build up one another in love and faith.