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Reading 1: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Responsorial: Psalm 54:3-6 and 8
Reading 2: James 3:16-4:3
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091921.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
Welcome for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and together we’re going to break open the Word!
You know, Katrina and I have been married for 27 years! I remember my wedding day. It was a beautiful Mass, and the party was awesome! People kept talking about it for years!
But I think many people have a romanticized view of marriage. I mean, this holiday season, many of us will undoubtedly be subjected to a variety of Lifetime Christmas movies. What always happens? Eventually, the couple overcomes the obstacles, get together, and then happily ever after.
Isn’t that lovely?
Reality can be a little messy.
A friend of mine who is an Episcopal priest from Maryland told me a really tragic story. He said, there’s a couple in his parish who let him know that after their long marriage, they were calling it quits – getting a divorce. They were irreconcilable. They didn’t want to talk about it with anyone!
Well, after a little prying, they finally admitted to my friend that the reason why they were getting divorced, is because one voted for Biden and the other for Trump.
That’s mind-boggling to me – that a couple joined in a Christian marriage and who had been together for so long could allow their married life to fall apart over politics. I just don’t get it.
I know people who’ve ended friendships over politics or the pandemic. What leads us to such drastic decisions?
In today’s second reading, James sheds some light on this dilemma. He asks, “Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?” (James 4:1) And then he goes on to suggest that it’s our emotions are to blame. He names some of them for us.
Jealousy, selfish ambition, coveting (James 3:16, 4:4) – these can all lead to conflict in our homes and in our community. Life isn’t always as easy or romantic as a Lifetime Christmas movie. As a husband, I can say that I am who I am in part because of who Katrina is.
What I mean is that together, we’ve grown and changed as individuals and as a couple. But growing in a relationship – whether as a married couple or a friend – means being willing to change. Being willing to give up some ideas or habits or even decorations in our homes for the sake of our relationships. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that being first means being a servant of all. So, stubbornly clinging to our point of view – our way or the highway – benefits no one except maybe divorce attorneys.
Homework! Inspired by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following question.
How do I make sure that I put others first in my life – especially my spouse if I’m married?
I think doing our homework will help us be the intentional disciples we are called to be! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word! Peace!
Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.
References:
1. Anderson, Kelly and Daniel Keating. James, First, Second, and Third John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ, obedient Servant of God: 539, 565, 600-605, 713
2. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem: 557-58
3. To serve is to reign: 786
4. Authority as service: 876, 2235
5. Priestly ministry as service: 1547, 1551
6. Passions: 1763-75
7. Love for children: 1825
8. Definition of sin: 1851
9. Different kinds of sin: 1852-53
10. Safeguarding peace: 2302-06
11. The sin of envy: 2538-40
12. Prayer of petition: 2629-33
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091921.cfm
Lectionary: 134
Reading 1
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.
Responsorial
Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8
R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Reading 2
James 3:16—4:3
Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Alleluia
Cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.
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.”