Daily Readings for May 19, 2016

1ST READING

 

Perhaps the wealthy should meditate on this text every morning when they wake up to remind them to incorporate works of mercy into their day. The responsibilities of wealth are enormous, just are those of any form of giftedness. All that we have is a gift from God — some innate, while others are fruits of our hard work. However, without God, none of them would be ours. This is why we must place all that we have in the service of the Kingdom of God.

 

James 5:1-6

1 Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. 2 Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, 3 your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. 4 Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 49:14-15, 15-16, 17-18, 19-20

R: Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

13 [14] This is the way of those whose trust is folly, the end of those contented with their lot: 14 [15] like sheep they are herded into the nether world; death is their shepherd, and the upright rule over them. (R) Quickly their form is consumed; the nether world is their palace. 15 [16] But God will redeem me from the power of the nether world by receiving me. (R) 16 [17] Fear not when a man grows rich, when the wealth of his house becomes great, 17 [18] for when he dies, he shall take none of it; his wealth shall not follow him down. (R) 18 [19] Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed, “They will praise you for doing well for yourself,” 19 [20] He shall join the circle of his forebears who shall never more see light. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

It is one thing to commit sin; it is far worse to lead others to sin. In other words, let us do everything to avoid being the cause of others’ sins. Jesus makes it clear in today’s Gospel that those who cause others, in particular the little ones of this world, to sin, would be better off drowning themselves in the lake. Being a good example to others is an important part of discipleship. Let us make sure we are attentive to this principle at all times.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.

 

Mark 9:41-50

41 Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. [44] 44 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. [46] 46 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 49 “Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”