Sirach 2:1-11 / Mark 9:30-37

Today the evangelist Mark tells us about the second announcement of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus and the discussion of the apostles about which of them was the greatest.

The first time Jesus touched on this subject was when He asked who the disciples said He was, and Peter answered that He was the Messiah.

Even though Jesus touched on this subject again, the disciples still did not understand the saying and were afraid to question Him. And, to make matters worse, the apostles had discussed about which of them was the greatest.

In other words, Jesus was opening His heart to the disciples, sharing the dramatic moment He would soon live, and, in the meantime, the apostles were discussing greatness, about who was the first to take the lead in Jesus' absence. It was an ambition for power.

Realizing the situation, Jesus told the apostles that, in order to be first, it was necessary to be the last of all and the servant of all. And this was exactly what Jesus demonstrated to them in His daily life. He lived what he taught.

With His arms around of a child, Jesus told the apostles that whoever received a child such as that in His name, would be receiving Him, as well as the Father who had sent Him. In that context, children represented those in need who needed to be assisted and protected. It was Jesus identifying Himself with the poor and helpless. To love God is to love our neighbor.

Let us be very careful with the ambition for power. In the Kingdom of God and in the Church, power is service, not prestige. Let us allow Jesus to renew our way of thinking and acting.

Today the book of Sirach tells us about the trials and humiliations that those who come to serve the Lord go through. The servant should be steadfast and patient, believing in God, in His care, in His mercy, hoping for good things, following the example of generations long past.

Let us remember: gold and silver are tested in fire, and our faithfulness is tested in difficulties. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, He forgives our sins in times of trouble, and protects all who seek Him in truth.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

Comentários

Postar um comentário

Postagens mais visitadas deste blog

Exodus 12.1-8,11-14 | 1 Corinthians 11.23-26 | John 13.1-15

In this Holy Week, today we arrive at the Easter Triduum, with Holy Thursday, celebrating the Institution of the Eucharist, at the Last Supper, and remembering the Washing of the Feet, love made humble service. A short while ago, the Institution of the Ministerial Priesthood was celebrated, with Priest's Day, and the consecration of the Holy Oils for the anointing of catechumens, for the anointing of those being confirmed and ordained ministers (deacons, priests and bishops), and for the anointing of the sick. Today the Evangelist John speaks to us about the Washing of the Feet during the Supper. Jesus - the Lord and Master - washed the feet of His disciples, giving them the example so that they would do the same thing that He did. The evangelist emphasizes that Jesus was demonstrating all His love for His people in the world. Simon Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet, but he allowed it when Jesus told him that he would have no part with Jesus if he did not allow it.  In that...
Leia mais

Ezekiel 47.1-2,8-9,12 | 1 Corinthians 3.9c-11,16-17 | John 2.13-22

We begin the thirty-second week of Ordinary Time with Mother Church. In two Sundays, the Liturgical Year will conclude with the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. In 2025, the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, on November 9th, coincided with Sunday, the Lord's Day. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, presided over by Pope Leo XIV. It is the oldest church in the West, inaugurated in the year 324, during the pontificate of Pope St. Sylvester I. It is the most important of the four papal basilicas in Rome (the others are St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the Basilica of St. Mary Major). Five ecumenical councils have taken place there. She is considered the ecumenical Mother Church. Initially, the basilica was dedicated to Christ the Savior, and only centuries later was it co-dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. Let us celebrate the catholicity...
Leia mais

Exodus 17.8-13 | 2 Timothy 17.8-13 | Luke 18.1-8

We begin the twenty-ninth week of Ordinary Time with Mother Church, in this month of mission and the Rosary. We are invited to financially support the Church's missionary initiatives. There are missions taking place in remote regions, with few human and financial resources, with transportation difficulties, in challenging climates, without temples and rooms for Catechesis and pastoral meetings, without Bibles, blackboards, and notebooks. In October, there is a donation campaign for the missions. Let us be generous and decisively support evangelization throughout the world. Today, the evangelist Luke tells us about the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. Jesus told His disciples this parable to show them the need to pray always and never give up.  The judge refused to grant justice to the widow, but due to her insistence and his fear of being attacked, he granted her request. Then the Lord Jesus said that God would quickly bring justice to His chosen ones, who cry ...
Leia mais