September 23, 2018

Gospel: Mk 9:30-37
After leaving that place, they made their way through Galilee; but Jesus did not want people to know where he was because he was teaching his disciples. And he told them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, but three days after he has been killed, he will rise.” The disciples, however, did not understand these words and they were afraid to ask him what he meant. Who is the greatest? They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”But they did not answer, because they had been arguing about who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve and said to them, “If someone wants to be first, let him be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child, placed him in their midst, and putting his arms around him he said to them, “Whoever welcomes a child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes not me, but the One who sent me.”

Lectio Divina
Read: The theme of violence and conflict permeates the readings today. The wicked cannot stand the righteous and plot the latter’s downfall. Jesus prophesizes about his own suffering and death at the hands of the enemies. James provides an insight into all violence – it is the result of jealous cravings and disordered desires.
Reflect: Competition, jealousy and violence happen only when the other is seen as an entity separate and different from us. If one is able to see the underlying unity of reality and the deep connectedness we have with everyone and everything else, this drive to be first and beat the rest will subside. Further, it will also help us deal with violence meted out to us with compassion and nonviolence, as Jesus could.
Pray: We shall pray for reduction of violence and promotion of peace in the world.
Act: Meditate on the interconnectedness of everything.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018