💖 HOMILY - FEBRUARY 27 💖

First Reading - Ecclesiasticus 5:1-10 

Gospel - Mark 9:41-50

Life is full of uncertainties, yet many times, we fall into the trap of placing our trust in material wealth, personal achievements, or even our own strength. Today’s readings call us to a deeper awareness of where we put our confidence and how we live out our faith in a way that leads to true life rather than destruction.  

The first reading warns us against complacency and false security. It cautions against relying on wealth, delaying repentance, or assuming that God’s mercy will overlook a life of sin. Many people live as if they have endless time to change, thinking, “I will turn back to God later.” But the reading reminds us that delaying conversion is dangerous. Wisdom calls us to live rightly now, not tomorrow. It challenges us to recognize that our actions have consequences and that true security comes only from a life rooted in God.  

The Gospel continues this theme by urging us to remove anything that causes us to sin. Jesus’ words may sound extreme—cutting off a hand, a foot, or plucking out an eye—but His message is clear: sin is serious, and anything that leads us away from God must be dealt with decisively. He is not asking us to harm ourselves but to examine our lives honestly and remove anything that hinders our relationship with Him.  

This calls for self-reflection. What in our lives causes us to stumble? It could be unhealthy relationships, habits, pride, or even a certain way of thinking that keeps us from growing spiritually. Jesus is inviting us to radical transformation, urging us to take sin seriously and to make necessary sacrifices for the sake of eternal life.  

At the same time, Jesus highlights the importance of being a source of goodness for others. Even a small act, like giving a cup of water in His name, will not go unnoticed by God. This means that every action matters—whether leading someone closer to God or becoming a stumbling block for them.  

Today’s readings remind us to place our trust in God alone, to reject anything that distances us from Him, and to be mindful of how our lives influence others. Let us not delay in choosing what is right, and may we seek the grace to walk faithfully with God each day.