Gospel Reflections for September 20 2015
Looking for a job and success…
I know many young people who will graduate from college next year but are already practicing for job interviews. I hope all goes well for them. I am sure they are learning how to write a resume, showcase their talents, and make the case to a prospective employer that they will add value to the company. I know they would all like to succeed …and I hope they will.
Looking for a job was completely different in the time of Jesus. In those days, you would simply look around for a rich older official, promise obedience, loyalty, and constant praise, and in return, receive a good position in the village. How easy is that! Your job would have nothing to do with your talents or abilities! As long as you were loyal and praised your boss, you would get a great position.
Jesus realized that His own disciples had that same habit of looking upward to powerful people and were searching for important officials on whom they could depend. They even looked at Jesus in the same way as someone who provide an easy living. He decides to do something new. (Our Lord frequently countered the normal culture).
Jesus knew that children at that time had the lowest social and economic status and that no one ever looked up to them. He places a child before the disciples and tells them not to look up to the powerful but to look down …to help the lowly, the poor, and those in need.
The legacy of that teaching has been a long and wonderful history of a Catholic Church that for centuries has founded hospitals, shelters, orphanages, schools, and even started the very first universities. Helping the poor hardly seems earth shaking today but it was profoundly revolutionary at that time.
Jesus knew that helping people in need produced a deeper sense of strength and security in us than aligning ourselves with some powerful civic official. Jesus teaches just the right lesson for us that will keep us strong and resolute in an uncertain world.
Pope Francis will be here in a few weeks with a similar message of showing mercy and compassion to those most in need.
Both Jesus and the Pope both affirm that we already have a great job; and it is to follow Our Lord and His example of service. It is great advice for a new college graduate and for all of us as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Fr Dave
I wish Jesus teachings of leaderships would apply to today’s world. It is difficult to find His qualities in the presidential candidates. Our country was founded on Christian principles.
It is a challenge for the president to balance the economic and social demands of this country.
A candidate with the wisdom and compassion like Jesus would be an ideal president!!
Thank you, Father Dave, for the reflection on the Gospel. Possibly “looking up” is all about me and how I can improve my position. This would be a case of loosing our freedom in that we are caught in the lure of worldly power or wealth. It is like having a selfish demon preventing us from caring about others.
On the other hand, “looking down” is an act of love in that we are not likely to benefit from it in any material way. But that is Jesus’ commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Well said!
Hi! This article has made me remember the years that I taught catechism classes on Sundays to teens at a parish in Chicago’s inner city. During the week I had a paying job. The CCD classes benefitted me far more than the paychecks at the day job. God’s graces are pure riches!
Yes, you are right in that we are often most rewarded when we are in a place and giving of ourselves where we do not expect a reward!
This gospel really puts into perspective how blessed and wealthy we are, especially living as American citizens in arguably the most coveted country to live in. We also live in a consumer society that inculcates the values of constant buying, instant gratification and driving toward success. Unfortunately, the emphasis on the importance of the individual sometimes clouds our sense of community. I think if we were to stop and reflect upon our blessings we would realize how wealthy and fortunate we are and appreciate it and perhaps reach out to the community. There is no gift like the gift of giving.
Well said!
Fr. Dave,
Thank you for your reflection; it reminds me of a tenet I hold that the highest form of life is being in service to others in need, and when coupled with gratitude makes for a joyful and fulfilling life, (in my judgement).
Looking forward to your upcoming presentation in La Jolla. +Blessings, Joe
Deus lo vult!
Amen! Thank you Fr Dave for the reflection.
I have made it a habit to say AMEN! to the WORD of God, even in public when I hear someone proclaiming God’s message. The message in this Sunday’s Gospel : Mk 9:35 – “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” reminds me always to allow God work in my life, to love and serve Him even when you are last in this earth but first in His kingdom. I found this very revealing of His presence in my life witnessing small and big miracles – slow but surely!
To God be the Glory! God bless you more Fr Dave!
Roy and Adele
AMEN!
Father Dave, Dick and I love our faith centered on love, compassion, forgiveness!! Our Jesus says it all “”Love one another as I have loved you”!!!! So beautiful!!!Love the concept that Jesus loved children and elevated children so that we should be like them to enter the kingdom of Heaven!!! I loved being a Kindergarten teacher for 5 year olds love , love and loved!!! If in life in every vocation, love, compassion, caring, sharing forgiveness, morality, good values, good ethics could be incorporated what a meaningful life everyone would have!!! and that is what our precious Faith teaches and our pope Francis wants us live by!!!We will pray that our new graduates live Jesus love and values and radiate Jesus love as well as all of us do the same and make a difference for good in the world by loving and helping others!!! Love your commentaries!!!You are constantly touching all of us with Jesus’ love!!!!Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!
Love, franca and Dick
Thank you Franca. Your Kindergarten kids were the luckiest students anywhere!