September 19, 2021

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 134

Reading I

Wis 2:12, 17-20

The wicked say:
    Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
        he sets himself against our doings,
    reproaches us for transgressions of the law
        and charges us with violations of our training.
    Let us see whether his words be true;
        let us find out what will happen to him.
    For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
        and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
    With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
        that we may have proof of his gentleness
        and try his patience.
    Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
        for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

1. (6b)    The Lord upholds my life.
   O God, by your name save me,
       and by your might defend my cause.
   O God, hear my prayer;
       hearken to the words of my mouth.
   R. The Lord upholds my life.
   For the haughty men have risen up against me,
       the ruthless  seek my life;
       they set not God before their eyes.
   R. The Lord upholds my life.
   Behold, God is my helper;
       the Lord sustains my life.
   Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
       I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
   R. The Lord upholds my life.

Reading II

Jas 3:16—4:3

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice. 
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity. 
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from? 
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members? 
You covet but do not possess. 
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war. 
You do not possess because you do not ask. 
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Alleluia

Cf. 2 Thes 2:14

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   God has called us through the Gospel
   to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” 
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?” 
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest. 
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 
Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Reflection: PERSONAL AGENDA THAN COMMON GOOD

Jesus predicted his passion and death. The disciples do not grasp it. And so they reject it quite automatically. They were more concerned about who was the greatest in their group. Jesus had to expect this particular loneliness too: 'not being understood'---'destruction instead of cooperation'! Because of some personal agenda we may sweep aside the great mission or aspirations of our friends. Some small matters may loom so big in front of our eyes that we may overlook even great important matters that may in some way threaten our trivial little agenda. Let us pray for the grace to keep our eyes fixed on the passion and death of the Lord and not get dissipated by other little worldly goals.