"THE WISDOM OF GOD"
First Reading: Wisdom 2: 12, 17-20
Second Reading: James ch 3:16 to ch.4 :3
Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 30-37
* First reading is from the book of Wisdom. This passage explains to us about the evil designs of the godless who plot against the righteous and upright people. The just man is inconvenient to them because he stands against their evil plans. So they want to do away with him.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. James. In this passage the Apostle pinpoints the causes of divisions and fights whether it is within a family or within a community or between nations. Jealousy and selfishness lead us to do vile practices. But we should strive for wisdom from above which is pure and peaceable and brings good fruits.
"Being the first and the last"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. In this passage we see the sharp differences in perception between Jesus and that of His disciples. After Peter declared that Jesus is the anointed one, the Messiah, Jesus explained to them the meaning of Messiah the anointed one. When he told them that the Messiah has to suffer and die and after three days will rise again, the disciples could not accept such an idea and totally rejected it. They were more concerned about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Jesus.
Knowing their thoughts Jesus told them plainly about the true greatness in His Kingdom. He said,"whoever wants to be first among them has to be the last of all and be the servant of all" Hence for Jesus true greatness is in serving others. May be many of us are like the disciples and measure greatness according to the standards of the world. Often we are not able to appreciate (true) greatness according to the standards of Jesus.
Today Jesus is inviting us to be part of His Kingdom by being at the service of others. Jesus has given us the example of washing the feet of His disciples and sharing His own life with us.
Many saints have followed this teaching of Jesus. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. Francis Assisi are prime examples of serving the poorest of the poor. They have shown us how to be truly great in the Kingdom of God.
Now it is our turn to accept Jesus' invitation to achieve true greatness.
First Reading: Wisdom 2: 12, 17-20
Second Reading: James ch 3:16 to ch.4 :3
Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 30-37
* First reading is from the book of Wisdom. This passage explains to us about the evil designs of the godless who plot against the righteous and upright people. The just man is inconvenient to them because he stands against their evil plans. So they want to do away with him.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. James. In this passage the Apostle pinpoints the causes of divisions and fights whether it is within a family or within a community or between nations. Jealousy and selfishness lead us to do vile practices. But we should strive for wisdom from above which is pure and peaceable and brings good fruits.
"Being the first and the last"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. In this passage we see the sharp differences in perception between Jesus and that of His disciples. After Peter declared that Jesus is the anointed one, the Messiah, Jesus explained to them the meaning of Messiah the anointed one. When he told them that the Messiah has to suffer and die and after three days will rise again, the disciples could not accept such an idea and totally rejected it. They were more concerned about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Jesus.
Knowing their thoughts Jesus told them plainly about the true greatness in His Kingdom. He said,"whoever wants to be first among them has to be the last of all and be the servant of all" Hence for Jesus true greatness is in serving others. May be many of us are like the disciples and measure greatness according to the standards of the world. Often we are not able to appreciate (true) greatness according to the standards of Jesus.
Today Jesus is inviting us to be part of His Kingdom by being at the service of others. Jesus has given us the example of washing the feet of His disciples and sharing His own life with us.
Many saints have followed this teaching of Jesus. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. Francis Assisi are prime examples of serving the poorest of the poor. They have shown us how to be truly great in the Kingdom of God.
Now it is our turn to accept Jesus' invitation to achieve true greatness.
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