Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 1, 2025
First Reading: Sirach 17.1-4, 6-8, 10-15
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Psalm 103
1Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.19The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.20Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.21Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.22Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Gospel: Mark 10.13-16
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound relationship between God and humanity, as well as the call to humility and trust in divine providence. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded of the dignity of human beings, created in the image and likeness of God. The author emphasizes that God has entrusted us with great gifts: understanding, the knowledge of good and evil, and the ability to enter into a covenant with Him. This passage also highlights the responsibility that comes with such gifts, urging us to avoid sin and live according to God’s justice. The focus is on the greatness of God’s works and the call to praise and honor Him.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a scene where Jesus is approached by parents seeking His blessing for their children. While the disciples try to prevent this, Jesus takes offense and insists that the children come to Him. He declares that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it with the humility and openness of a child. This teaching challenges us to let go of pride and self-reliance, embracing instead a posture of trust and simplicity. Jesus’ embrace and blessing of the children serve as a powerful reminder of God’s love for the vulnerable and the importance of humility in our spiritual lives.
These readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the call to live in harmony with God’s will and to recognize our dependence on Him. Sirach reminds us of the dignity and responsibility that come with being created in God’s image, while the Gospel calls us to embrace humility and trust. In our daily lives, we are invited to approach God with the simplicity and openness of a child, recognizing that true greatness lies in our ability to receive His love and live according to His plan. May we, like the children in the Gospel, allow ourselves to be embraced by God’s mercy and guided by His wisdom.