FIRST READING
Wisdom 2:12, 17–20
The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 54:3–4, 5, 6–8 (6b)
R. The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
SECOND READING
James 3:16—4:3
Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.
Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
ALLELUIA
see 2 Thessalonians 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 9:30–37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
REFLECTIONS:
Whose glory do you seek? There can be no share in
God's glory without the cross. When Jesus prophesied his own betrayal and
crucifixion, it did not make any sense to his disciples because it did
not fit their understanding of what the Messiah came to do. And they were
afraid to ask further questions! Like a person who might receive a bad
verdict from the doctor and then refuse to ask further questions, they,
too, didn't want to know any more. How often do we reject what we do not
wish to see? We have heard the good news of God's word and we know the
consequences of accepting it or rejecting it. But do we give it our full
allegiance and mold our lives according to it? Ask the Lord to fill you
with his Holy Spirit and to inspire within you a reverence for his word
and a readiness to obey it.
How ashamed the disciples must have been when Jesus overheard them arguing
about who among them was the greatest! But arent we like the disciples?
We compare ourselves with others and desire their praise. The appetite
for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the
ambition to be "somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even
the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made
them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor
(Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by embracing a child to show
his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What
can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient
world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially
at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like
the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of
Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples
by placing the child in a privileged position of honor. It is customary,
even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who
is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart
who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride
and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child.
Jesus, himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but to serve
(Matthew 20:28). Paul the Apostle states that Jesus emptied himself and
took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). Jesus lowered himself (he
whose place is at the right hand of God the Father) and took on our lowly
nature that he might raise us up and clothe us in his divine nature.
God
opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). If we
want to be filled with God's life and power, then we need to empty ourselves
of everything which stands in the way pride, self-seeking glory, vanity,
etc. God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with his own glory, power,
and love (2 Corinthians 4:7). Are you ready to humble yourself and to serve
as Jesus did?
"Lord Jesus, by your cross you have redeemed the world and revealed
your glory and triumph over sin and death. May I never fail to see your
glory and victory in the cross. Help me to conform my life to your
will and to follow in your way of holiness."
Very good, It was useful for me very much
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