1ST READING
A good person suffers and a bad person thrives. This is one of life’s ironies that is hard to explain. To date, there is no universally accepted answer. As Christians, we know that suffering is a result of sin. The effect of sin is unjust and it always hurts even those who are innocent.
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
12 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.17 Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. 18 For if the just one be the Son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. 19 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. 20 Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”
P S A L M
Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6, 8
R: The Lord upholds my life.
1 [3] O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. 2 [4] O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. (R) 3 [5] For the haughty have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes. (R) 4 [6] Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. 6 [8] Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness. (R)
2ND READING
Jealousy and ambition kill the work of the Holy Spirit. We are called to rejoice in the gifts that God gives to others as much as we do in the gifts He gives us. This puts an end to worldly ambition. As Christians, we always share our gifts for the sake of the greater good of the Kingdom of God.
James 3:16-4:3
16 Beloved: Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. 4:1 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.
GOSPEL
Jesus told His disciples that He was going to suffer. Then He placed a little child in front of them as He explained that ambition has no place in the work of the Kingdom of God. Both these ideas would have been shocking to the Jews in Jesus’ time. Their faith was distorted by sin as one person sought to outdo another in winning God’s favor. This would be fine if it was all about growing holiness. But it was not. We must make obedience to God’s will the truest measure of our holiness.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 9:30-37
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. 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.”
think: We must make obedience to God’s will the truest measure of our holiness.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 125-130
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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