My Wednesday Daily Blessings
Be still, quiet your heart and mind, the Lord is here loving you, talking to you.................
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr (Catholic Observance)
Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (Roman Rite Calendar)
*First Reading: Sir 4:11-19
Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her.
He who loves her loves life; those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.
He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves.
He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her.
She walks with him as a stranger and at first she puts him to the test;
Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.
Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to them
and she will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.
But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
He who loves her loves life; those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.
He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves.
He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her.
She walks with him as a stranger and at first she puts him to the test;
Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.
Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to them
and she will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.
But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
*Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175
"O LORD, great peace have they who love Your law."
*Gospel: Mk 9:38-40
John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.”
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.”
**Reflection:
Do you rejoice in the good that others do? Jesus reprimands his disciples for their jealousy and suspicion. They were upset that someone who was not of their company was performing a spiritual work in the name of Jesus. They even "forbade" the man "because he was not following us". Jesus' reply is filled with wisdom: "No one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me." Are we not like the disciples when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to shine more than us? Paul says that "love is not jealous... but rejoices in the right" (1 Corinthians 13:4,6). Envy and jealousy, its counterpart, are sinful because they lead us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice – namely, our neighbor's good. The reason we may grieve over our another's good is that somehow we see that good as lessening our own value or excellence. Envy forms when we believe that the other person's advantage or possession diminishes or brings disgrace on us. Envy is contrary to love. Both the object of love and the object of envy is our neighbor's good, but by contrary movements, since love rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it. How can we overcome envy? With the love that God has put into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit purifies our love and frees us from our disordered passions, such as envy, jealously, greed, and bitterness. The love that God places in our hearts seeks the highest good of our neighbor. Ask the Lord to transform your heart that you may always rejoice in the good of others, even in those you find disagreeable.
The love of Christ not only frees us from envy and jealousy, it compels us to give generously, especially to those in need. Every one in need has a claim on us because they are dear to Christ and bear the image and likeness of God. God created us in love for love. The charity we show to our neighbor also expresses the gratitude we have for the abundant goodness and kindness of God towards us. Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to the people of Christ will not lose its reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in need who asked for his help. As his disciples we are called to be kind and generous as he is. Are you grateful for God’s mercy and kindness towards you and are you ready to show that same kindness and generosity towards your neighbor? Gregory of Nyssa, an early church father (330-395 AD), comments on this passage: “God never asks his servants to do what is impossible. The love and goodness of his Godhead is revealed as richly available. It is poured out like water upon all. God furnished to each person according to his will the ability to do something good. None of those seeking to be saved will be lacking in this ability, given by the one who said: ‘whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward.’” Ask the Lord to increase your generosity in doing good for others.
**Prayer:
Sources:
The readings on this page are from the Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world.
*Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
**Don Schwager
Author and Writer for The Word Among Us
Member, Servants of the Word (c) 2006
Word Life Community
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