Daily Readings - Sun Sep 23 2018
James
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?2Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Mark
30And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true wisdom, the dangers of envy and ambition, and the call to humility and service. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear the wicked plotting against the just, mocking their faith and testing their trust in God. This passage reflects the age-old tension between those who seek to live according to God’s will and those who reject it, choosing instead a path of selfishness and sin. The just one, though seemingly powerless, is revealed to be the true child of God, and his ultimate vindication is certain.
The second reading from the Letter of James provides a complementary message, warning against the destructive power of envy and contention. James reminds us that true wisdom is not marked by rivalry or selfish ambition but by peace, meekness, and a readiness to do good. He traces the source of conflict to our own desires and the failure to seek God’s will in prayer. This teaching calls us to examine our hearts and to pursue a path of humility and harmony.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus teaching his disciples about his impending passion and resurrection, but they fail to understand. Their confusion leads to an argument about who is the greatest, prompting Jesus to teach them about the true nature of leadership. He says, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and the minister of all.” Embracing a child as an example, Jesus emphasizes that true greatness lies in receiving and serving others with humility. These readings remind us that our faith is not about power or status but about living with humility, trust, and a willingness to serve. Let us ask ourselves: Do we seek to be served, or do we serve others? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain? May we strive to live as true disciples of Christ, embracing humility and serving others in love.