26th Week in Ordinary Time – Cosmas/Damian
1st Reading: Job 1:6-22
One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming the earth and patrolling it.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job, and that there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?” But Satan answered the LORD and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has, and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand upon his person.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And so one day, while his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them, and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the herdsmen to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Lightning has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put those tending them to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, when suddenly a great wind came across the desert and smote the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair. He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.
Gospel: Lk 9:46-50
An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
WHO IS THE GREATEST? The dispute among the members of his household offered Jesus the opportunity to teach them one more lesson on the values of the Kingdom. For the disciples, the great deeds done by Christ could have suggested the dawn of a certain type of revolution far from what Christ stood for. But to their dismay, Jesus reverses the order; the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest. True greatness comes through humble service. In the community of disciples, guided by the values of the kingdom, greatness is not measured by one’s domineering attitude. Instead, the truly great person in the Christian community is the one considered by human standards to be the least. How often do we fight for positions in the church? How many Christian groups have split over the question of leadership? How do the leaders exercise their authority?
Prayer – Lord teach us that there is something called humble service and help us by your grace to find joy in serving rather than being served.
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PAYING ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD IN HUMILITY: Jesus is telling his disciples what is to happen to Him. However, being used to him speaking in parables, they neither understand nor ask him any question. This shows that, they may not be paying attention to what he is telling them. Jesus loves us in a unique way and that is how he speaks to us. He has a message to each one of us. How do we listen to His Word? Does it have some impact in our lives? We are called to pay attention to the Word of God that is delivered to us during Mass and also receive Him in the Holy Eucharist. When we are united with Him, we are ready to suffer with Him.
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TRUE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST: A disciple of Christ is not a person who is merely a baptized person, but the one who follows Him more closely until the end of his life. Jesus was already telling the disciples about His passion and death on the cross. Jesus also told them to follow carefully his teachings (Lk 9:44). The disciples did not understand the words of Jesus (Lk 9:45). They were surprised at the words of Jesus and they were afraid to ask him about the Cross. The same fear of the cross, sufferings and persecutions is there among the people today. Their faith in Jesus at times is set on His miracles and not on His person. The message of the Cross is the will of God for salvation. We need to know the message of God through Cross by His grace, which is the heart of our life of faith as Christians. Let us take our daily cross and follow Jesus (Lk 9:23) and let us the glory in the Cross of Christ (Gal 6: 14).
DAILY GOSPEL 