Gospel for September 22 2024 – Mark 9:30-37
Gospel Reflections for September 22 2024
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 best case to an employer that will add value to the company. I hope they succeed!
Getting a job was very 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! As long as you were loyal and 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. 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 very first universities. Helping those in need hardly seems new today but was revolutionary then.
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 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.
It is great advice for any college student …and for all of us as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
Helping those in need is gracious, generous, and charitable. It gives the giver far more than the receiver. Depending on our capabilities, the depth or extent of reaching out to others also relies upon our abilities, talents, and resources in general. Sharing our God-given gifts is, perhaps, why He gave them to us in the first place.
I believe we should begin our path to heaven with family, our loved ones, friends, and in the process— ourselves by nourishing our souls and bodies.
Giving is love in action, and love is that open space in our hearts. The more we put into it —the deeper it gets, the more it holds.
“God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son..”
May our savior continue to bless you for all you do.
Fiamus Sanctae!
Kathleen
Very well said!
Getting Employed is an interesting event in one’s life. I knew a Young Man recently graduated from Law School that was having a tough time passing the Bar Exam for the State of California. He was disturbed from Failing it and truly bothered.
I noticed He attended Mass often and enjoyed The Church so asked if He had ever considered the Priesthood. He had but did not think He was good enough. I told him no one really is but We need Priests.
He spoke to his Pastor then to the Vocations Director and is now in Seminary and loving every minute. He is so Happy and fulfilled it’s wonderful to see.
Please Pray that more Men and Women consider and enter the consecrated life. We need more people like Father Dave.
Great story! Thank you tom for helping to begin a journey for a young man to priesthood!
Love your precious comments Kathleen and love yours Tom!!! You both said what is in my heart!!! We need to live and love like our precious Jesus and need more priests like our precious Father Dave
Have a beautiful day in our precious Jesus and our beautiful Blessed Mother’s Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee their loveeeeeeeeeeeeee and love you!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Amen to that!❤️🙏
Love and prayers to you and all your family and friends!
You’re such a beautiful soul!
God bless!
This was meant for Franca!
Typed in the wrong spot!
Thank you!
Father Dave, Your insights are so relevant to our beautiful way of living our precious Jesus’ loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! You are a precious gift from our loving God to us leading us beautifully to His loving arms!!! Sooooooooooooooooooooooo happy you were born!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
You’re such a beautiful soul!
God bless!
Thank you!
You are a beautiful soul my precious Kathleen filled with our precious jesus and our beautiful Blessed mother’s Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca