Gospel for September 19 2021 – Mark 9:30-37
Gospel Reflections for September 19 2021
Looking for success
I know students who will graduate from college next year but are already practicing for job interviews. They are learning how to make their case to an employer that they will add value to the company. I hope they succeed.
Looking for a job was completely different at the time of Jesus! In those days, you would simply look around town for a rich patron, promise obedience, loyalty, and constant praise, and in return, receive a good position in your village. How easy is that! However, your job would have nothing to do with your talents or abilities! If you were loyal and always praised your boss, you would get a great position and job security.
Jesus realized that His own disciples were also looking upward to a powerful person on whom they could align themselves. They looked at Jesus as that powerful patron who could provide an easy life for them. Then Jesus does something they never expected!
He places a child in front of them. Jesus knew that children then had the lowest social status and that no one ever looked up to them, so He tells them …not to look up to powerful officials …but down at this child…and to think first how you can help the lowly, the poor, and those in need.
Jesus reverses everything they thought about work and success.
That is a whole new way of looking at your life as well. The legacy of that teaching about service to those in need has been a long and wonderful history of our Catholic Church that for centuries has founded countless hospitals, shelters, orphanages, schools …and even created the first universities. Helping those in need hardly seems new today but was revolutionary then.
Today, Our Lord still invites you to help those in need, either personally, or with your financial help for institutions and parishes that can help on a much larger scale.
Jesus knew that helping people in need created a deeper sense of strength and security than aligning ourselves with some powerful patron for selfish needs. People who help others …actually feel themselves more empowered and meaningful.
Jesus affirms that you already have a great job; and it is to follow Our Lord and His example of service.
That is great advice for a new college graduate …and for all of us as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Without this message of Jesus, all the needy would be helpless and the powerful would be condemned for looking down on them. His words save all!
Yes, exactly. Well said!
‘A great recipe for success in this life and true happiness
in the next, Fr. Dave!
Yes, I agree. It makes sense that Our Lord would have the best recipe for success.
The way Jesus picked the Apostles continues to amaze me.. No degrees, no formal education, Families not connected or in High Society. The scripture stories they tell us from
What they see, learn and understand have existed thousands of years and We learn from them. This is miraculous and continues every year of our Catholic Faith.
As I age and reread them they become more relevant than when first observed.
The Mystery and Truth contained therein remains the Pathway to Eternal Joy.
This was beautifully said!
Thank you!
How amazing that the scriptures can still amaze us with their wisdom even after so many years. Of course, you have an open mind and heart to receive them well!