
A Gospel according to Mark 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 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.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. 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.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “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.”
REFLECTION: “What were you arguing about on the way?”
To put this Gospel in perspective, in the last few days, we have been reading about the Transfiguration, on how Jesus asked the disciples "who do you say that I am?", and listening to Peter's response.
We read about the miracle of the boy that was possessed, and how Jesus told the apostles that those demons only came out through prayer.
And yet, they are still arguing among themselves as to who is the greatest. Jesus questioned them about what they were arguing about.
This narrative reminds me of my children. Sometimes, I tell them something, until I am blue in the face, and they still don't do it or don't understand the words that are coming out of my mouth.
Even looking at myself, how many times have I continued to make the same mistakes over an over.
In this reading of the Gospel Jesus shows us His patience and mercy towards us, and tells us to be like a little child. Not to care about our social status, or how many likes I get on Facebook. Or if I have enough Instagram followers.
He is telling us to stop trying to be better than others, and instead serve others. And to do it in His name.
Ash Wednesday is tomorrow. Lent is here. Besides giving up chocolate and ice cream, will we be also helping the needy, feeding the hungry and serving the poor? Or will we be taking selfies of ourselves while putting a can of soup in the "feed the poor" collection basket?
Let us think of some ways we can practice a virtue this Lent. Practice generosity by helping others in need. Practice patience by walking with an elderly person or helping them with a task. Practice temperance, master one prayer and pray it with all your heart and commit to it.
Thank you, Maria