Daily Readings for May 26, 2016

1ST READING

Peter writes again about the influences of the world and how it is a constant battle to remain faithful to God and the call of holiness. This letter seems to be calling us to battle against the powers of sin. We know we are already victors in this battle through the resurrection of Jesus. This letter may be an ancient baptismal exhortation or instruction. It is appropriate to understand it as a call to battle against the tendencies of the flesh in following our Christian calling.

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12

2 Beloved: Like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation, 3 for you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, 5 and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. 12 Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

P S A L M

Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5

R: Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 2 serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. (R) 3 Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. (R) 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; give thanks to him; bless his name. (R) 5 The Lord is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus has a heart for the poor and marginalized, the sick and the suffering. Let us pray for hearts that reach out to these little ones as well. St. Philip Neri, whose feast we celebrate today, was known to have a heart full of love that it expanded and cracked some of his ribs. This teaches us something of the mind and heart of God, His magnanimity and desire to love us unconditionally.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Mark 10:46-52

46 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” 50 He  threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” 52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.