REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus recognizes the difficulty of his disciples, their slowness in understanding. In the face of their obtuseness, Jesus continues to be a patient Teacher. Drawing close to them, he finds out why they cannot pay complete attention to his words. It is because they have other concerns; they are arguing along the way who among them is the greatest!
As a response, Jesus reveals to them the true way to greatness. It is the path of servanthood, especially to the little ones, represented by the child that he calls and puts at the center of the group. There is indeed no middle way for a disciple of Jesus. We need to understand that Jesus does not stop us from aiming high, from being number one. It is just that the way of doing it, the attitude that a disciple must have is the reverse of the way of the world. The one who wants to be first “shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (v 35). Such is the logic of Gospel greatness. Such is what Jesus showed us in and through his life, death, and resurrection.
First Reading • Wis 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.
Second Reading • Jas 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.
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.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.