Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B
September 30, 2012
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Opening Prayer
First Reading: Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm: 19:8, 10, 12-14
Second Reading: James 5:1-6
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
- This Sunday’s Gospel is a continuation of last week’s reading (Mark 9:30-37).
- The disciples, rebuked by Jesus in their attempt to claim for themselves a prominent place in his Kingdom, resort to attacking a man who, while not of their own circle, is performing exorcisms in Jesus’ name. Due their own recently failed attempt at this type of healing (Mark 9:14-29), they may have felt a little insecure!
- Jesus urges tolerance for those who are not opposing him and, in a certain way, honor his name by acknowledging its power. He goes on to relate this to how all of his disciples (the “little ones”) should be treated. He makes it abundantly clear that this is a serious matter with either reward (verse 41)— or dire consequences.
- Gehenna, or Valley of Hinnom, (to which Jesus refers in verses 43-45) was a small ravine outside of Jerusalem where during Israel’s early history, child sacrifice had been offered to pagan gods, even by one of Israel’s particularly evil kings, Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-3). In Jesus time, as an unclean place, it was a dump where rubbish burned night and day, and had become proverbial as a metaphor for eternal punishment (Jeremiah 7:30-33).
QUESTIONS:
- In the First Reading, why do you think young Joshua was “jealous for the sake of Moses”? What do you think was his attitude toward the gifts of God and how God chose to give them? What is your attitude to those who seem unlikely recipients of God’s gifts?
- Looking at the Second Reading: how have you used your personal resources—such as money, influence, talent, or time—for the benefit of others? How might you seek God’s wisdom to learn how you should use your resources?
- What does Jesus’ application of the image of Gehenna (and that of Isaiah 66:24) tell you about the seriousness of how he regards the sin of scandal?
- In verses 43, 45, and 47, what four things does Jesus say are “better” than becoming an occasion of sin (In the Greek, scandalon: literally, a stumbling block) to others? What is his point in using this hyperbole? Short of cutting off body parts, what do you need to cut out of your life in order to avoid sin?
- How does the attitude Jesus wants us to have regarding rivalry and exclusivism reflect that of John the Baptist (John 3:25-30)? St. Paul (Galatians 5:19-26)? St. James (James 3:13-18)? How does your own attitude compare?
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1034, 2284-87
Would you like to see God glorified by you? Then rejoice in your brother’s progress and you will immediately give glory to God. Because His servant could conquer envy by rejoicing in the merits of others, God will be praised. -St. John Chrysostom