The readings meet you in the ordinary place where faith is practiced. Stay with what Jesus says or does here, and let it ask for one honest response.
Today’s readings
First Reading
Sirach 2:1-11
My son, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation. Set your heart aright, constantly endure, and don't make haste in time of calamity. Cling to him, and don't depart, that you may be increased at your latter end. Accept whatever is brought upon you, and be patient when you suffer humiliation. For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Put your trust in him, and he will help you. Make your ways straight, and set your hope on him. All you who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy. Don't turn aside, lest you fall. All you who fear the Lord, put your trust in him, and your reward will not fail. All you who fear the Lord, hope for good things, and for eternal gladness and mercy. Look at the generations of old, and see: Who ever put his trust in the Lord, and was ashamed? Or who remained in his fear, and was forsaken? Or who called upon him, and he neglected him? For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. He forgives sins and saves in time of affliction.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. The LORD knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied. Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever. For the LORD loves justice, and doesn't forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.
Gospel
Mark 9:30-37
They went out from there and passed through Galilee. He didn't want anyone to know it, for he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, "The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again." But they didn't understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?" But they were silent, for they had disputed with one another on the way about who was the greatest. He sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." He took a little child and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, doesn't receive me, but him who sent me."
A question for your journal
Where might God be asking for one honest, unhurried response?
Scripture text: World English Bible Catholic Edition, public domain. Reading citations are prepared for Come Aside from MIT-licensed citation metadata.
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