Daily Readings for February 23, 2017

1ST READING

Today’s reading from the Book of Sirach reminds us that we need the grace of God to overcome sin. Let us learn well the lessons from the Renaissance Age when the mind and heart of humanity was drawn away from the Creator. We cannot live as disciples on our own strength. We need God’s grace for our salvation.

Sirach 5:1-10

1 Rely not on your wealth; say not: “I have the power.” 2 Rely not on your strength in following the desires of your heart. 3 Say not: “Who can prevail against me?” or, “Who will subdue me for my deeds?” for God will surely exact the punishment. 4 Say not: “I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?” for the Most High bides his time. 5 Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin. 6 Say not: “Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive.” 7 For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked alights his wrath. 8 Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day. 9 For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed. 10 Rely not upon deceitful wrath, for it will be no help on the day of wrath.

P S A L M

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6

R: Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He is like a tree planted near running water that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)

GOSPEL

Causing others to sin is worse than other personal sins. Jesus warns that we must respect the weaknesses of others no matter what these may be. Never let others be tempted and fall into sin because of you. Instead, pray that God gives them the strength to avoid sin and live in His grace.

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.”