Daily Readings - Sun Sep 19 2021

¹²Therefore, let us encircle the just, because he is useless to us, and he is against our works, and he reproaches us with our legal offenses, and makes known to us the sins of our way of life¹⁷Let us see, then, if his words are true, and let us test what will happen to him, and then we will know what his end will be¹⁸For if he is the true son of God, he will receive him and deliver him from the hands of his adversaries¹⁹Let us examine him with insult and torture, that we may know his reverence and try his patience²⁰Let us condemn him to a most shameful death, for, according to his own words, God will care for him.

James

Chapter 3

¹⁶For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work¹⁷But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness¹⁸And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace

Chapter 4

¹Where do wars and contentions among you come from? Is it not from this: from your own desires, which battle within your members²You desire, and you do not have. You envy and you kill, and you are unable to obtain. You argue and you fight, and you do not have, because you do not ask³You ask and you do not receive, because you ask badly, so that you may use it toward your own desires

Mark

Chapter 9

³⁰And setting out from there, they passed through Galilee. And he intended that no one know about it³¹Then he taught his disciples, and he said to them, "For the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and having been killed, on the third day he will rise again.³²But they did not understand the word. And they were afraid to question him³³And they went to Capernaum. And when they were in the house, he questioned them, "What did you discuss on the way?³⁴But they were silent. For indeed, on the way, they had disputed among themselves as to which of them was greater³⁵And sitting down, he called the twelve, and he said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be the last of all and the minister of all.³⁶And taking a child, he set him in their midst. And when he had embraced him, he said to them³⁷"Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives not me, but him who sent me.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on suffering, conflict, and humility. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom describes the wicked plotting against the just man, highlighting the age-old theme of the persecution of the righteous. The just man’s reproach of sin and his faith in God’s deliverance provoke the wicked to test him through suffering. This passage reminds us that the righteous often face trials because their very existence challenges the sinful ways of the world. The second reading from the Letter of James sheds light on the origins of conflict and division. James explains that wars and quarrels arise from our own selfish desires and envy. True wisdom, he tells us, is pure, peaceful, and merciful. This wisdom is not about personal gain or power but about sowing peace and justice in our relationships. James calls us to examine our own hearts and to recognize that our struggles often come from within. In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus teaching his disciples about true greatness. After predicting his own suffering and resurrection, Jesus finds his disciples arguing about who is the greatest. He responds by placing a child in their midst and declaring that receiving a child in his name is receiving him and the Father. This teaching upends the world’s notion of power and status, showing that true greatness lies in humility and service. Jesus calls us to embrace a life of selflessness and to recognize the dignity of all, especially the vulnerable. As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they challenge us in our daily lives. Are we willing to embrace humility and serve others, or do we find ourselves caught up in envy and the pursuit of power? Let us ask for the grace to cultivate the wisdom from above, which is marked by peace, meekness, and mercy. May we learn to see Christ in the least among us and to follow his example of self-giving love.