TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Gospel: Mk 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.”
BEING GREAT IN HEAVEN: Most people in the world would like to be recognized by others as important and of outstanding character in society. When this happens, the recipient feels honored and joyful. This may be as a result f wealth, education or even authority. The readings today exploit that feeling and shows us what matters in the Kingdom of God. To be honored in heaven depends on how we play our role in the work of Jesus and in His service. The questions that matter are how do we treat the poor and the lowly? Receiving the lowly and the helpless is receiving Jesus, and not Him but the Father who sent him (Mark 9:34). Only then is someone counted among the righteous and great in heaven. Thus, as we prepare our domestic budget, do we set aside something for the lowly and the helpless?
PRAYER: Lord, help me to recognize you in the lowly and the helpless.
DAILY GOSPEL 