Daily Readings - Sun Sep 19 2021
James
16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Mark
30They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,31because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."32But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.33They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"34But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."36He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,37"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one 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.