Daily Readings for May 23, 2018

1st READING 

James gives us practical advice in his writings. Today, he reminds us about the limited time we have to do God’s will – we barely have 100 years to make a difference with our lives. This is worth reflecting upon – the Old Testament reckoned a life of 60 years was about average and that if we lived to 70, then we were in the bonus situation. Today many people live longer. Let us find ways to continue to share in the work of the Gospel as long as we live.

James 4:13-17

13 Beloved: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town, spend a year there doing business, and make a profit.” 14 You have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears. 15 Instead you should say, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.” 16 But now you are boasting in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin.

P S A L M 

Psalm 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11

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

1 [2] Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all who dwell in the world, 2 [3] of lowly birth or high degree, rich and poor alike. (R) 5 [6] Why should I fear in evil days when my wicked ensnarers ring me round? 6 [7] They trust in their wealth; the abundance of their riches is their boast. (R) 7 [8] Yet in no way can a man redeem himself, or pay his own ransom to God; 8 [9] too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough 9 [10] to remain alive always and not see destruction. (R) 10 [11] For he can see that wise men die, and likewise the senseless and the stupid pass away, leaving to others their wealth. (R)

GOSPEL 

Being human, we become jealous of the good works that others do for God’s Kingdom. Let us remember that there is more than enough for us to do. The harvest is indeed greater than the current crop of harvesters can handle. Let us pray for vocations, that more men and women enter the religious and priestly life and work in the Lord’s mission field.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

Mark 9:38-40

38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39 Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us.”