MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according toMark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THE Gospel today tells us that John, one of Jesus disciples was upset that someone who was not of their company was performing a good work in the name of Jesus. The Gospel records that they even “forbade” the man “because he was not following us.”
What about Jesus? His reply is filled with wisdom. He said, “No one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me.” Jesus rebuked him for his jealousy and suspicion.
From this episode we ask ourselves, do we rejoice in the good that others do? Sometimes, we are like the disciples when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to shine more than us. Why? It is because we are jelaous.
We can learn here that jealousy must be rooted out of our hearts.
Jealousy is sinful because it leads us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice, namely, our neighbor’s good. St. Paul says that “love is not jealous… but rejoices in the right” (1 Cor 13: 4, 6). Jealousy is contrary to love since love rejoices in our neighbor’s good.
From the Gospel today we learn about Jesus’ love. It is a generous and selfless which is wholly oriented towards our good and the good of all humankind. It purifies and frees us from all envy and jealousy. It compels us to give generously, especially to those who lack what they need.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist while worshipping Jesus Christ we learn to overcome jealousy with the love that God has put into our hearts. We pray that Jesus Christ purifies our heart and frees us from our envy, jealously, greed, and bitterness.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father has created us in love for love. We are most free and happy when we love as you love. Free our hearts from envy and jealousy. Help us to show to our neighbor the love and charity. May we be grateful for God’s mercy and kindness towards us and we be ready to show that same kindness and generosity towards our neighbor now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
