Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 22 September 2024
First Reading: Wisdom 2: 12, 17-20
Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. (19)
This passage today, seems to be a parallel to Christ Jesus’ horrific passion and death on the cross. Yet we too can learn that whenever we stand up to speak the truth or try to walk in the Light of Christ we may be considered inconvenient to others! Even then, let us strive to live in the Light of Christ as God has called us. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to guide us in every moment of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 54: 3-6 and 8
For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. (3-4)
Amen, Alleluia!
Second Reading: James 3: 16 – 4: 3
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. (3:17)
We are called to examine our lives based on these standards laid down by St. James. Whenever we find a disturbance of peace within or around us, may we return to the Lord for His Light. Further, in the verses St. James says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas 4:7) We must be persistently vigilant of the arrows that may dart upon us suddenly trying to shake our peace and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can immediately arrest that thought and take it to the foot of Christ and call the name of Jesus out aloud. At the sound of Jesus’ name, every attack is thwarted and every knee bends. We must speak aloud scripture verses like Isaiah 54:17, in faith and confidence.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: Second Thessalonians 2: 14
Alleluia! For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 9: 30-37
Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (36-37)
Children rely on others, let us pray that we may rely on God! Also, we may have others relying on us; let us be humble stewards in our responsibilities towards others. Children here can also represent the innocent and teachable, to whom we are called to administer. We ask the Lord for discernment in prioritizing our daily functions, so that we may give Glory to our God by our actions as well as words. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
