GOSPEL - Mk 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 he 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.”
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 he 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.”
PRAYER - Blessing of Children
Prayer #61 from the Oratory: Place of Prayer Book ($7)
Prayer #61 from the Oratory: Place of Prayer Book ($7)
Father, inexhaustible source of life and author of all good, we bless you and we thank you for brightening our communion of love by your gift of children. Grant that our children (child) will find in the life of this family such inspiration that they (he/she) will strive always for what is right and good and one day, by your grace, reach their (his/her) home in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Tuesday is dedicated to the Holy Angels
STUDY - Excerpt from Lesson Between Earth and Heaven
How are children like Jesus? Children are an example of the evangelical councils: poverty, chastity, and obedience. They are poor, for they depend on others for everything. They are pure in both thought and deed. The innocence of a child must be protected. They are obedient, for they must rely on the wisdom of others to guide them. Our Lord said, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” [1] Although Jesus is God, He humbled Himself, thus depending on others for simple necessities like shelter and food. Jesus was innocent and pure of heart, “like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth…” [2] Jesus was obedient, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death even death on a cross.” [3]
How are children like Jesus? Children are an example of the evangelical councils: poverty, chastity, and obedience. They are poor, for they depend on others for everything. They are pure in both thought and deed. The innocence of a child must be protected. They are obedient, for they must rely on the wisdom of others to guide them. Our Lord said, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” [1] Although Jesus is God, He humbled Himself, thus depending on others for simple necessities like shelter and food. Jesus was innocent and pure of heart, “like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth…” [2] Jesus was obedient, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death even death on a cross.” [3]
[1] Luke 9:58
[2] Isaiah 53:7
[3] Philippians 2:6-8
[2] Isaiah 53:7
[3] Philippians 2:6-8
