Daily Readings for May 26, 2018

1st READING 

Today’s reading teaches us that good works can cover a multitude of sins. This gives us hope to change for the better and live a full life. To be good is hard work and requires from us our energy, enthusiasm, and commitment. Let us pray that the Lord gives us all the good we need to be His disciples.

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 welcomes little children into His presence. Today, the Church also welcomes us – God’s children. We need the Holy Spirit to protect us from strange and heretical doctrines. Let us pray that our priests may be inspired to teach and preach the truth, and that we pass on the truth of our faith to others.

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.