Sunday, February 23, 2014
Monday 7TH Week in Ordinary Time
February 24, 2014
Monday 7TH Week in Ordinary Time
Jas 3: 13-18 / Ps 19: 8, 9, 10, 15 / Mk 9: 14-29
Reading: Jas 3: 13-18
If you consider yourself wise and learned, show it by your good life and let your actions, in all humility, be an example for others. But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and ambition, do not try to show off; that would be covering up the truth; this kind of wisdom does not come from above but from the world and it is earthly and devilish. Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord and all that is evil. Instead, the wisdom that comes from above is pure and peace-loving. Persons with this wisdom show understanding and listen to advice; they are full of compassion and good works; they are impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow peace reap a harvest of justice.
Gospel: Mk 9:14-29
When they came to the place where they had left the disciples, they saw many people around and some teachers of the Law arguing with them. When the people saw Jesus, they were astonished and ran to greet him. He asked, "What are you arguing about with them?" A man answered him from the crowd, "Master, I brought my son to you for he has a dumb spirit. Whenever the spirit seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes stiff all over. I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not. Jesus replied, "You faithless people. How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him. As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it shook and convulsed the boy who fell on the ground and began rolling about, foaming at the mouth. Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He replied, "From childhood. And it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "Why do you say: 'If you can?' All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe, but help the little faith I have." Jesus saw that the crowd was increasing rapidly, so he ordered the evil spirit, "Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you: Leave the boy and never enter him again." The evil spirit shook and convulsed the boy and with a terrible shriek came out. The boy lay like a corpse and people said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him and the boy stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?" And he answered, "Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else."
Reflection:
When we have a major problem or a lingering illness, we sometimes ask God why. Despite our being faithful followers of Christ, we cannot seem to find a solution. Jesus tells us the same thing that he told the disciples: "Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else." Jesus said it so simply that we may be tempted to think that it is such an easy thing to do. In fact, we do pray every night. But perhaps given the problem in the Gospel - a boy possessed by an evil spirit since childhood-- what Jesus meant is a real, honest-to-goodness intimacy with God. This is the kind of prayer that is not just said every night but rather lived every day! The disciples have not reached that level of oneness with God that they do not have the power to drive out the evil spirit. In the same way, while our relationship with God remains shallow, we will not be able to drive out the spirits that hinder us from having peace and joy.
So, let us continue to strive to reach the level of prayer where we no longer just talk to God but rather listen, speak, and act WITH God.
Prayer Requests:
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
... for families who are in need of healing.
... for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
-- Monday 7TH Week in Ordinary Time
Jas 3: 13-18 / Ps 19: 8, 9, 10, 15 / Mk 9: 14-29
Reading: Jas 3: 13-18
If you consider yourself wise and learned, show it by your good life and let your actions, in all humility, be an example for others. But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and ambition, do not try to show off; that would be covering up the truth; this kind of wisdom does not come from above but from the world and it is earthly and devilish. Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord and all that is evil. Instead, the wisdom that comes from above is pure and peace-loving. Persons with this wisdom show understanding and listen to advice; they are full of compassion and good works; they are impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow peace reap a harvest of justice.
Gospel: Mk 9:14-29
When they came to the place where they had left the disciples, they saw many people around and some teachers of the Law arguing with them. When the people saw Jesus, they were astonished and ran to greet him. He asked, "What are you arguing about with them?" A man answered him from the crowd, "Master, I brought my son to you for he has a dumb spirit. Whenever the spirit seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes stiff all over. I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not. Jesus replied, "You faithless people. How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him. As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it shook and convulsed the boy who fell on the ground and began rolling about, foaming at the mouth. Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He replied, "From childhood. And it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "Why do you say: 'If you can?' All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe, but help the little faith I have." Jesus saw that the crowd was increasing rapidly, so he ordered the evil spirit, "Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you: Leave the boy and never enter him again." The evil spirit shook and convulsed the boy and with a terrible shriek came out. The boy lay like a corpse and people said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him and the boy stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?" And he answered, "Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else."
Reflection:
When we have a major problem or a lingering illness, we sometimes ask God why. Despite our being faithful followers of Christ, we cannot seem to find a solution. Jesus tells us the same thing that he told the disciples: "Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else." Jesus said it so simply that we may be tempted to think that it is such an easy thing to do. In fact, we do pray every night. But perhaps given the problem in the Gospel - a boy possessed by an evil spirit since childhood-- what Jesus meant is a real, honest-to-goodness intimacy with God. This is the kind of prayer that is not just said every night but rather lived every day! The disciples have not reached that level of oneness with God that they do not have the power to drive out the evil spirit. In the same way, while our relationship with God remains shallow, we will not be able to drive out the spirits that hinder us from having peace and joy.
So, let us continue to strive to reach the level of prayer where we no longer just talk to God but rather listen, speak, and act WITH God.
Prayer Requests:
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
... for families who are in need of healing.
... for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
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