Daily Readings for May 21, 2016

1ST READING

We should pray for the sick to be healed. However, this does not mean that we should stop consulting doctors and going to hospitals. These are gifts from God to address our health needs. It is important that we use the wisdom God has inspired and is present in the various technologies of our time. We should always be grateful for what God has given us.

James 5:13-20

13 Beloved: Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing a song of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. 17 Elijah was a man like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land. 18 Then Elijah prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. 19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, 20 he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

P S A L M

Psalm 141:1-2, 3, 8

R: Let my prayer come like incense before you.

1 O Lord, to you I call; hasten to me; hearken to my voice when I call upon you. 2 Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice. (R) 3 O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips. 8 For toward you, O God, my Lord, my eyes are turned; in you I take refuge; strip me not of life. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus wants us to become like little children in trusting God. The implicit and unconditional trust that children have for their parents is a beautiful witness of love. It is also a fragile reality that can be damaged by a harsh word or neglect. We need to relate with one another in a way that build each other up and so grow in the ways of Christ.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Mark 10:13-16

13 People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.