READINGS:
1 R : Jm 4 :1 - 10.
Ps 54 : 7 - 8, 9 - 10a, 1ob - 11a, 23.
Gos : MK 9 : 30 - 37.
EVERYONE ASPIRES TO BE FIRST AND REACH HIGHER.
TODAY'S GOSPEL EXPLAINS THE CHRISTIAN WAY OF BECOMING FIRST.
OBVIOUSLY IT IS TO BECOME THE LAST.
IMAGINE THE TWELVE DISCUSSING WHO IS THE GREATEST ?
IS IT UNNATURAL ?
DON'T WE ALL DISCUSS, FUME, EVEN FIGHT ?
JUDAS HAD THE MONEY BAG; PETER HAD CONFESSED THAT JESUS IS CHRIST; JACOB IS CONSIDERED THE ELDER; JOHN IS THE BELOVED OF JESUS.
THEN WON'T THERE BE A RAGING DISCUSSION ?
REMEMBER AGAIN JESUS WAY OF BECOMING FIRST AND GREAT.
TO BE THE LAST AND SERVE THE LEAST.
BLESSED MOTHER THERESA OF CALCUTTA, ST. VINCENT DE PAUL AND SO MANY SAINTS HAVE LIVED THIS WAY.
IN THE FIRST READING ST. JACOB EXPLAINS THE ORIGIN OF FIGHTS AND QUARRELS; WHY OUR PRAYERS ARE NOT GRANTED AND WHY WE SHOULD SHUN THE WAYS OF THE WORLD AND BECOME HUMBLE.
ALL ARE DIRECTLY APPLICABLE TO OUR LIFE.
HAVE THE COURAGE TO LIVE CHRIST'S WAY WITH HIS GRACE.
