26 Feb
Tue
7th Week in Ordinary Time
Sir. 2:1-11
Ps. 37(36):3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40
Mk. 9:30-37
(Ps Wk III)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 
 

Ben Sirach was a Jerusalem Jew who wrote sentiments of wise counsel, that is, he was a wisdom scribe. The first reading of today comes from his book written about 180 B. C. His contacts with the world of Greek civilization made it possible for him to absorb the Greek idea of wisdom as a virtue, and to incorporate it into the Hebrew way of seeing wisdom as obedience to the will of God contained in the Law.

The sayings we read today are based on the question of suffering, which bothers many, and is dealt with the premise that sufferings are a test, but a test which reveals one's sincerity in facing the testing. The sincere person accepts suffering because he/she accepts God as the one who can be trusted, who will not let one down. From studying the history of great men, one knows that God is compassionate and merciful and will ultimately reward one's sufferings with everlasting joy.

In the Gospel passage of today, we see the relevance of this wisdom teaching in the situation of the disciples. Jesus has to make use of a child to open their eyes. A child is helpless when suffering, but the ones who selflessly serve the child, the weak one, is serving Christ Himself, and in serving Christ is serving God. So the wise person is the one who serves God. Godliness and wisdom are one.



Lord, in serving You, we are trusting You. Help us to be wise in this way. Amen.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2019. All rights reserved.