Daily Readings for May 24, 2018

1st READING

James reminds the rich that they do not own their wealth – it is a gift entrusted to them by the Lord. Though we work hard to earn and grow our wealth, still all that we have are the Lord’s and we are His stewards. More than material wealth, let us pray for the grace to grow in faith, to do our work of evangelization, and store true riches in heaven.

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 netherworld; death is their shepherd, and the upright rule over them. (R) Quickly their form is consumed; the netherworld is their palace. 15 [16] But God will redeem me from the power of the netherworld 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 

All that the devil can offer is life in fire that can never be quenched. Let us pray for the grace to know God’s will for us and follow the path He has set for us. May we be focused and stay on course even in the midst of sufferings and trials. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us recognize sin and reject it.

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.”