Jesus looks at faith and justice in the world,

sees all who act in his name as having much in common.

No matter in what way they show this.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Sirach 4:11-19

Wisdom brings up

Her children and takes care of those who look for her. Whoever loves her loves life.

Those who rise early in the morning in search of her will be filled with joy.

Whoever possesses her will have glory and wherever he goes blessings will follow.

Those who serve her are ministers of the Holy One; those who love her are loved of the Lord.

He who listens to her will have good judgment. He who obeys her will rest in safety.

 

Whoever trusts in her will possess her and his children after him will inherit her.

For in the beginning she will lead him by rough paths, causing him to fear and be terrified;

she will plague him with her discipline until she can count on him; and she will put him to the test by her demands.

Then she will lead him on a level path, give him joy and reveal her secrets to him.

But if he wanders from the path, she will abandon him and allow him to be lost.

 

Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175

O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊

Mark 9:38-40

John said to him, "Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon your name,

and we tried to forbid him, because he does not belong to our group." Jesus answered,

"Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in my name can soon after speak evil of me.

For whoever is not against us is for us.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Submission to God."

Throughout the history of the Church, the writings of the saints consistently testify to the description

of spiritual experience as presented in the Book of Wisdom. At first our desire for God is tested and purified,

and then, if we persevere and do not wander from the path, we are helped by the Lord to grow in virtue

and grace until there is a close union between the soul and God in peace and joy. Saint John of the Cross

described this challenging experience of purification as a dark night of the soul, where we learn to surrender ourselves to God.

 

The idea of surrender seems counter-intuitive, since we fear that we will lose everything,

but Saint John and countless other saints teach us that it is only through holding nothing back from God that we gain everything.

This submission to God is only possible if we really trust in his providence,

if we really believe that he cares for us. Once we accept the truth of God's loving care, like little children, we will run to him without fear.