Daily Readings - Sun Sep 19 2021
James
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Mark
30They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know,31for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise."32But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.33And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?"34But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.35And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."36And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,37"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.