“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
(Mark 9:35)
God’s ways are not always our ways. The world often equates greatness with power, wealth, and status but in God’s kingdom, true greatness comes from being humble and serving others where the last will be first and the first will be last. Children are dependent, trusting, and humble. These are the qualities that Jesus wants us to have in our relationship with Him. We should face our problems with courage and faith in God, instead of trying to escape from them. We can cast our burdens on God, knowing that He will sustain us. Let us always listen to God's work, seek God’s wisdom and understanding and apply it to our lives rather than relying on our own.
30 Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 31 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.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 33 They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. 35 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.” 36 Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, 37 “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." (Mark 9:30-37)
In the realm where divine paths intertwine, God's ways are not always aligned with thine. The world may equate greatness with power and gold, but in God's kingdom, a different story is told. True greatness comes from humility, from service, from grace, in God's kingdom, the last shall be first, the first shall find their place. Children, dependent, trusting, and pure, hold the qualities that in us, Jesus wants to endure. Facing problems with courage, with faith in the Divine, not seeking escape, but letting His light shine. We cast our burdens on Him, in His strength, we trust, knowing He will sustain us, He is fair and just. Let us listen to His word, seek His wisdom, His light, apply it to our lives, let it guide our flight. Rely not on our understanding, but on His alone, for it is through His love and wisdom, our path is shown.
Dear Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that Your ways are not always our ways. In this world, greatness is often equated with power, wealth, and status, but in Your kingdom, true greatness comes from being humble and serving others. Help us to remember that in Your kingdom, the last will be first and the first will be last. We strive to have the qualities of children who are dependent, trusting, and humble. these are the qualities that You want us to have in our relationship with You. Help us to face our problems with courage and faith in You, instead of trying to escape from them. We cast our burdens on You, knowing that You will sustain us. Let us always listen to Your word, seek Your wisdom and understanding. Help us to apply Your teachings to our lives rather than relying on our own understanding. Guide us, Lord, in all our ways and lead us into everlasting life. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
Friendship with the world is enmity with God. We should not be overly attached to worldly pleasures but instead prioritize our relationship with God. Conflicts and quarrels often arise from worldly desires and pleasures. Understanding this can help us identify and address the root causes of conflicts. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. We should always keep to heart the value of humility and submission in our walk with God. Our submission involves resisting the devil, drawing near to God, cleansing one’s hands, purifying one’s heart, and humbling oneself before the Lord. If we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will exalt us. This provides hope and encouragement to us, assuring us of God’s reward for our humility and faithfulness. He will transform our lives - from laughter to mourning, from joy to gloom. Let us draw near to God, as He draws near to us so that we may experience His loving presence and care in our lives.
1 Beloved: 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? 2 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. 3 You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 Adulterers! Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose that the Scripture speaks without meaning when it says, The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward jealousy? 6 But he bestows a greater grace; therefore, it says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 7 So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. 9 Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you. (James 4:1-10)
In this world, we may find our place, but friendship with it, God's grace erase. Worldly pleasures, they may seem grand, but they're fleeting, like grains of sand. Conflicts arise, quarrels ignite, from worldly desires that take flight. Understanding this, we can see, the root of conflict, the enemy. God opposes the proud, it's true, but gives grace to the humble, me and you. In our walk with God, let's keep in sight, the value of humility, shining bright. Submission to God, a choice so wise, resisting the devil, our faith's high price. Drawing near to God, hands cleansed, hearts pure, humility before the Lord, our faith's cure. If we humble ourselves, in God's sight, He will exalt us, to great height. This hope and encouragement, let it be, a reminder of God's reward, for you and me. From laughter to mourning, joy to gloom, God will transform us, like a flower in bloom. So let us draw near, without any fear, for God's loving presence, is always near.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that friendship with the world is enmity with You. Help us not to be overly attached to worldly pleasures, but instead to prioritize our relationship with You. We recognize that conflicts and quarrels often arise from worldly desires and pleasures. Grant us the wisdom to understand this so we can identify and address the root causes of conflicts. You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble. Help us to always keep to heart the value of humility and submission in our walk with You. Our submission involves resisting the devil, drawing near to You, cleansing our hands, purifying our hearts, and humbling ourselves before You. If we humble ourselves before You, You promise to exalt us. This provides hope and encouragement to us, assuring us of Your reward for our humility and faithfulness. You promise to transform our lives - from laughter to mourning, from joy to gloom. Help us to draw near to You, as You promise to draw near to us. May we experience Your loving presence and care in our lives. Guide us, protect us, and lead us in Your ways. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
God sees all and will bring the wicked to justice. We should be aware of the evil in the world, but not to be overcome by it. Instead, we should strive to be lights in the darkness. It’s natural to want to escape from our problems, but we can’t always run away from them. Instead, we should face them with courage and faith in God. No matter what we’re going through, we can cast our burdens on God, knowing that He will sustain us. What is important is humility and submission in our relationship with God.
7 And I say, “Had I but wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest. 8 Far away I would flee; I would lodge in the wilderness.” 9 “I would wait for him who saves me from the violent storm and the tempest.” 10 Engulf them, O Lord; divide their counsels. In the city I see violence and strife; 11 day and night they prowl about upon its walls. 23 Cast your care upon the Lord, and he will support you; never will he permit the just man to be disturbed. (Psalm 55:7-8, 9-10, 10-11, 23)
In the realm where divine eyes fall, justice awaits the wicked, one and all. Evil lurks, of this we're aware, yet by it, we must not ensnare. Strive we must, to be the light, in the world's ever looming night. Problems surround, they're part and parcel, yet from them, we mustn't always travel. Face them we should, with courage so bold, with faith in God, our hand He'll hold. Through trials and tribulations, come what may, our burdens on Him, we can lay. He will sustain us, come rain or shine, in our relationship with the divine. What matters most, in this grand submission, is a heart filled with humble contrition.
Dear Heavenly Father, You see all, nothing escapes Your divine gaze. We pray for justice, for the wicked to face their days. Help us be aware of the evil that lurks, but let us not be overcome, strengthen our works. Guide us to be lights in the enveloping dark, to shine Your love, to leave a mark. It's natural to want to escape our strife, but remind us, we can't always run from life. Give us courage, give us faith, to face our fears, to confront our problems, to wipe our tears. No matter the storm, no matter the fuss, we cast our burdens on You, for You will sustain us. In our relationship with You, let humility be our guide, submission to Your will, with no pride. For what matters most in this divine relation, is a humble heart, and complete submission. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
THE SECOND PREDICTION OF THE PASSION / THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM
Mark 9:30-32 / 33-37
First Reading
III: Exhortations and Warnings
CAUSES OF DIVISION
James 4:1-12
Responsorial Psalm
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
A LAMENT OVER BETRAYAL
Psalm 55:1-24
Reflection Source:
Copilot
