Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection March 01, 2025

01st March 2025 (Saturday)

Psalter: Week 3

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Sirach 17:1-13

The Lord created mankind out of earth and turned him back to it again. He gave to them numbered days, a limited time, but granted them authority over the things upon the earth. He endowed therm with strength like his own and made them in his own image. He placed the fear of them in all living beings and granted them dominion over beasts and birds. He made for them deliberation, speech, and eyes; he gave them ears and a mind for thinking. He filled them with knowledge and understanding and showed them good things and bad. He set his eye upon their hearts to show them the majesty of his works. And they will praise his holy name to proclaim the grandeur of his works. He bestowed knowledge upon them and allotted to them the law of life. He established with them an eternal covenant and showed them his judgments. Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.

Psalm 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18a

R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little children the mysteries of the kingdom.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

At that time: They were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Saturday – 7th Week in Ordinary Time

Main Point: Openness to God’s grace is crucial for the working of it. God can work freely and abundantly when there is humble receptivity and cooperation

In today’s gospel, the whole scene pivots around children. Jesus rebukes his disciples who hinder children from being brought to him to be touched and blessed. He wants children to come to him, be close to him, be touched and blessed by him. He also makes it crystal clear that only to such belongs the kingdom of God.

We can reflect now on what it means to be children and to be childlike. Before that, some simple questions can be asked. Today how many parents take their children closer to Jesus, to the church, to the sacraments, to the spiritual animation? How many parents initiate, motivate, guide, and foster their children in matters of faith and morals? How many of them instill and ignite in their children love for God and enthusiasm for spirituality?

In the name of giving the children freedom, and respecting their personal responsibility, are the elders not failing in their responsibility? Are we ourselves not hindering them from Jesus? What a loss it is that our children miss the nearness, the touch, and the blessing of Jesus!

We may also reflect on the attitude of the children of today. How many children have this longing to go to Jesus, to receive his touch and blessing? How many prefer to spend long hours watching TV, playing video games, or with their friends? How many children become so irregular to the church, especially to the Holy Eucharist and the holy confession?

We can further reflect on being childlike. Essentially it means a heart that bubbles with tender affection, a guileless heart that harbors nothing negative, with humility to realize their smallness, deep trust to depend totally on God, and wholehearted surrender to Him.

My Practice: Our prayers shall not become self-oriented. We need to realize the efficacy of the prayer of intercession for others. Thus our prayers must become more altruistic and benevolent