We should always hope to see all people come to know and
believe in God. If this happens then this world will become a much better place
to live in. We should remove jealousy and ill feelings toward one another. At
the slight hint of these negative feelings we should at once put a stop to it.
We are all guilty of it one way or another because we all have this tendency to
be self centered but if we closely guard ourselves against it and really make
an effort to be self conscious of this very destructive attitude then we can be
as firm as Moses by not succumbing to this self centeredness and sincerely hope
for the betterment of all people. Amen. Hallelujah!
Numbers 11:25-29
... “Moses, my lord, stop them.” 29 But Moses answered him,
“Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were
prophets! Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!”
It always pay to be watchful and alert at all times.
Although we sometimes fail to measure up due to our own shortcomings or could
be the doing of another, God assures us in today's psalm that if we fall into
the trap of the enemy we can always repent with a deep remorse for our sins and
resolve to make the precepts of the Lord the joy of our hearts. In doing so, we
find ourselves naturally restrained from sin and maintain our innocence. Amen.
Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 19:8. 10. 12-13. 14 (9a)
R: The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
... the decree of the
LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the
LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of
them just. (R) 11 [12] Though your servant is careful of them, very diligent in
keeping them, 12 [13] yet who can detect failings? Cleanse me from my unknown
faults! (R) 13 [14] From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant; let it
not rule over me. Then shall I be blameless and innocent of serious sin.
Today's 2nd reading
serves as a warning for all of us not to be led astray by the values that this
world hold dear. It is so hard not to be influenced by it because we are still
in this world and detaching from it poses a more difficult task than to imbibe
the ways of the world and just go with the flow without any resistance. We must
master all our courage and strength in sticking to the truth and values that
Jesus teaches us in the bible as in the Book of James. Amen. Hallelujah!
James 5:1-6
1 Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending
miseries. 2 Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, 3
your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against
you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the
last days. 4 Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your
fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears
of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you
have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned; you
have murdered the righteous one; he offers you non resistance.
Mark the writer where today’s gospel is taken from was very
much around the very people whom we usually look up to as the leaders of the
community but fail to reach the mark. If we read further in the gospel in Mark
9: 49-50 it is written, "Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good,
but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt
in yourselves and you will have peace with one another." During his time,
salt was stored in a bag and used in the cooking the way in the same manner tea
bags are used. This is to filter the impurities so after use the taste is gone
and what's left is just a bag of dirt. Mark was very much around these kinds of
people and this is what he was trying to convey in his writings. We should
promote the improvement and betterment of our fellow men instead of being
suspicious or jealous of them. I t is God's will for us that we all become
better and improved people and eventually become the best. We may be
encountering some problems at the moment but this should inspire us to see
beyond the imperfections of our present situation for God is always at work in
our lives and we should not lose sight of what God has in store for those who
obey and follow Him. Jesus tells His disciples not to prevent those who drive
out demons in His name. Although they are not part of their group, they are not
doing something against them. Sometimes we get offensive and instead of
attracting people to the faith we tend to drive them away. We can not claim to
know everything so it is better to just give people the benefit of the doubt or
not judge them outright and just entrust them to Jesus who definitely knows
best. Jesus also warns us of hell. Let
us recall also that it is also written in the scriptures about the fig tree
which bears no fruit and was thrown into fire to burn. We have to realize that
in every sin there is pride. Our sins can bring us to hell if left
unrepented. There is a real need to live
in virtue and strive to bear fruit as a Christian. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 9:38-43. 45. 47-48
38 At that time, John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone
driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does
not follow us.” 39 Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who
performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40
For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Anyone who gives you a cup of water
to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose
his reward. 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to
sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into
Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. [44] 44 45 And if your foot causes you to
sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two
feet to be thrown into Gehenna. [46] 46 47 And if your eye causes you to sin,
pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God
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