Tuesday

October 18, 2009, 29th Sunday Cycle B - "Whoever wishes to be first among you"

Sunday Reading Reflections
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 11, 2009 (28B)

SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.


First Reading

Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 53, Verses 10-11

1. Do you suffer with the loved one who is suffering, and would you take the person’s place if you could? Does God act in this manner regarding the suffering of human beings?

2. “Do this in memory of me.” Is this an invitation to join Jesus’ suffering and to participate in his redemption of the world? Can God use your actions or your suffering to accomplish his work in the world today?

Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 4, Verses 14-16

1. Christ is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses,” the reading says. Does he completely understand your situation no matter how complicated it is? Are you able to understand people’s weaknesses?

2. Jesus was tested in every way we are. Do you ever remember this when you are being tested?

Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 10, Verses 35-45

1. What place do status, rank and privilege have in Christian ministry? Why does Jesus attribute so much importance to the emptying of oneself?

2. Jesus told the disciples that the way to rank first is by serving others. What does unselfish service look like in your parish, work, or home? On a larger scale how could it change the world?

Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.

3 comments:

  1. Teresa7:42 PM

    Many times, we in the parish service ministry, forget that what we do is all about Jesus. Many times we forget this and let our egos get in the way as we seek recognition for what we do for the parish. And we get mad and jealous when we don't get our due applause ornice pat in the back. It's all about Jesus, I need to rememeber that all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jesus' emphasis on "emptying oneself" is meant to teach us to get out of our own way, in order to see and attend to the needs of others. Considering our culture today - all about me, instant gratification - for me - such a teaching is 180 degrees counter-cultural. How can I be my brother's keeper if I'm consumed with serving me?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4:54 PM

    Humility is perhaps one of the things that's truly missing from society and yet it's such a great quality in someone. Everyone is always looking to prove how great they are, and sadly today's society seems to reward this behaviour and so it becomes endemic.

    ReplyDelete