Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me. (Mark 9:37)
It seems that we have a lot in common with the apostles. We love Jesus, they loved Jesus. We want to follow him, they followed him. We want to please him, and so did they. And like the apostles, we too are subject to human weakness. Todays Gospel tells us that Jesus was trying to teach the apostles, but they werent listening. They were arguing about who was the greatest.
We shouldnt look down on the apostles. Like us, they had the natural human tendency to place themselves above those around them. Like us, they had the natural human tendency to think about their needs and desires more than the needs and desires of others. In other words, their hearts needed to be shaped and purified, just as ours do!
When Jesus asked about the conversation, the apostles kept quiet.
They knew that Jesus didnt like these kind of senseless arguments, so they were reluctant to own up to them. So, lets ask ourselves: How many times do I engage in senseless arguments? How many times have I tried to prove my point while knowing all the time that the argument was trivial?
The apostles eventually outgrew these self-centered attitudes. They realized that they were Gods children and that they were being entrusted with Gods work. They understood that what counted most was to show people how to love God and to love one another.
As Jesus did with the apostles, he wants to do with us. He wants to show us a higher way to live. He wants to show us how noble and pleasing it is to serve others above ourselves. He wants to teach us how to avoid getting caught up in senseless arguments and how to redirect our conversations so that they help promote virtue and love over envy and jealousy.
Jesus, teach me how to put others ahead of myself. I want to be like you, Lord.
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54:3-6, 8; James 3:164:3
September 23rd, 2012
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
1. The first reading, which is a prophetic foreshadowing of the passion and death of Jesus, speaks of the human tendency to attack and to reject those who set themselves against our doings. It also speaks of Jesus patience and gentleness which we are called to emulate. What is your reaction when you have been accused unjustly or treated unfairly? What about when you are stopped for speeding or your work is criticized at work?
2. In the responsorial psalm, the psalmist cries out to God in prayer as a response to the attacks of his enemies. He asks God to save him and defend him. How often do you turn to God in prayer as the first reaction to difficult situations?
3. The psalmist ends his petitions with these words of faith and trust, Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. Freely will I offer sacrifice; I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness. Why is this an appropriate way to end a time of prayer and supplication to the Lord? Do you end you own times of prayer with thanksgiving and praise to the Lord? Should you?
4. In the second reading, St. James contrasts the disorder, which is often part of our lives, with the wisdom that comes from God, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits. What examples can you share where you have seen victory over jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition by following Christ, our wisdom?
5. In the Gospel, Jesus takes his disciples off privately for an important and personal message. He tells them he is to be killed, but he will rise from the dead. Amazingly, rather than trying to understand what Jesus has told them, they are more concerned about which one of them is the greatest. Why does self-absorption tend to make us less attentive to what Christ may be telling us? What steps can you take to be more attentive to Jesus words?
6. Jesus turns the natural order on its head in the Gospel by saying that those who make themselves last and serve others are first in importance in the Kingdom of God. What are some ways that you can be a better servant to your family or to others in your parish?
7. In the meditation, we here these words: As Jesus did with the apostles, he wants to do with us. He wants to show us a higher way to live. The meditation also gives some examples of how Jesus wants to do this. How would you describe what this higher way means to you? What steps can you take to open yourself more to this great work by allowing Jesus to transform you more and more into his likeness?
8. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord to transform you into his likeness and give you a servants heart like his. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.