Justin Patenaude gives his reflection on this Sundays readings.
Readings for September 23rd:
First Reading: Wisdom 2: 12, 17-20
Res.:Psalm 54: 3-8
Second Reading: James 3: 16 to 4:1-3
Gospel: Mark 9: 30-37
The first reading
from the book of Wisdom is quite depressing to put it bluntly. We hear of a man
saying that he will torture someone who believes in God just to prove to him
that he doesn't exist. Each one of us has lived through situations where we were
ridiculed for our Faith. We might not have all the answers to all non-believers
questions, which means it takes humility to take their mocking words and offer
it up to God.
The second reading
explains what we should do in such times. Instead of trying to get your way by
force instead of praying, you do not get what you want. Also, it says
"When you pray and do not receive, it is because you prayed wrongly,
wanting to indulge your passions". I'm going to add a little thing to
that: This may seem as a shock, but most of our prayers are quite selfish.
Think about it, we might pray for someone to be healed, or for peace on earth,
but are we really wanting them to feel better or us to feel better in the
process? All prayers can be selfish because we are imperfect beings. But one
way to ensure that our prayers are purified is for us to ask Mary to intercede
for us. As much as I want to explain what I learned from Joe Madden at camp
this summer, I'll go on with the reflection but feel free to ask me later.
Finally, in the
Gospel, Jesus puts in bluntly, just the way I like it: "If anyone wants to
be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all". Everyone
has heard this passage, but how many actually apply it to their lives? I surely
don't. I try my best to practice humility but I fall short on numerous
occasions. I truly think that if we prayed for humility we would see a big
difference in today’s society as we slowly learn to put others in front
ourselves.The first reading
from the book of Wisdom is quite depressing to put it bluntly. We hear of a man
saying that he will torture someone who believes in God just to prove to him
that he doesn't exist. Each one of us has lived through situations where we were
ridiculed for our Faith. We might not have all the answers to all non-believers
questions, which means it takes humility to take their mocking words and offer
it up to God.
The second reading
explains what we should do in such times. Instead of trying to get your way by
force instead of praying, you do not get what you want. Also, it says
"When you pray and do not receive, it is because you prayed wrongly,
wanting to indulge your passions". I'm going to add a little thing to
that: This may seem as a shock, but most of our prayers are quite selfish.
Think about it, we might pray for someone to be healed, or for peace on earth,
but are we really wanting them to feel better or us to feel better in the
process? All prayers can be selfish because we are imperfect beings. But one
way to ensure that our prayers are purified is for us to ask Mary to intercede
for us. As much as I want to explain what I learned from Joe Madden at camp
this summer, I'll go on with the reflection but feel free to ask me later.
Finally, in the
Gospel, Jesus puts in bluntly, just the way I like it: "If anyone wants to
be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all". Everyone
has heard this passage, but how many actually apply it to their lives? I surely
don't. I try my best to practice humility but I fall short on numerous
occasions. I truly think that if we prayed for humility we would see a big
difference in today’s society as we slowly learn to put others in front
ourselves.The second reading
explains what we should do in such times. Instead of trying to get your way by
force instead of praying, you do not get what you want. Also, it says
"When you pray and do not receive, it is because you prayed wrongly,
wanting to indulge your passions". I'm going to add a little thing to
that: This may seem as a shock, but most of our prayers are quite selfish.
Think about it, we might pray for someone to be healed, or for peace on earth,
but are we really wanting them to feel better or us to feel better in the
process? All prayers can be selfish because we are imperfect beings. But one
way to ensure that our prayers are purified is for us to ask Mary to intercede
for us. As much as I want to explain what I learned from Joe Madden at camp
this summer, I'll go on with the reflection but feel free to ask me later.
Finally, in the
Gospel, Jesus puts in bluntly, just the way I like it: "If anyone wants to
be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all". Everyone
has heard this passage, but how many actually apply it to their lives? I surely
don't. I try my best to practice humility but I fall short on numerous
occasions. I truly think that if we prayed for humility we would see a big
difference in today’s society as we slowly learn to put others in front
ourselves.Finally, in the
Gospel, Jesus puts in bluntly, just the way I like it: "If anyone wants to
be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all". Everyone
has heard this passage, but how many actually apply it to their lives? I surely
don't. I try my best to practice humility but I fall short on numerous
occasions. I truly think that if we prayed for humility we would see a big
difference in today’s society as we slowly learn to put others in front
ourselves.
The first word that came
to mind after reflecting on Sunday's readings was: humility.