FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Lk 6:39-42

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

REFLECTION

No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.

Most of us remember teachers who made a big difference in our lives.

Elsie C. attended a catholic school with nuns who actually wore habits with coif, long veil, long sleeves and a long tunic. She did not study much and enjoyed the carefree life she had. Many thought she was slow and going to college seemed a far fetched dream. Mother Bernard took an interest in Elsie C. and she told her that someone else's opinion of her did not need to be her identity. Elsie literally became a different student with just this simple mentoring. She now has a PhD in chemistry.

We probably have our personal encounter with a teacher and how they affected us. There are many similarities between teachers and priests. Teachers teach us math, English, social studies and also guide us for future endeavors in college or choices of careers. Priests teach us about God the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. They teach us about heaven and hell and in confession counsel us, advise us on family problems and never give up on us. They teach us right from wrong and set us on fire for Jesus. They are looking out for lost souls and teaching us to better understand our faith, the Mass, and the Holy Scriptures.

Our PAPA Prayer for Priests prays for 22 different kinds of priests. Though they are teachers and some of us will be as knowledgeable as they, they are human and just like you and me, battle with the world, devil and the flesh. PAPA prays for priests because they are in persona Christi capitis in ecclesiae or in the person of Christ, the Head, in the Church. The priest brings Jesus to us in the Holy Eucharist. Join us in praying for our priests. PAPA Prayer for Priests.

God Bless You