Mark 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 the Son of Man 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."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for Barbra Becerra and for the upcoming results of her MRI.
"Mark probably intends this incident and the sayings that follow as commentary on the disciples' lack of understanding. Their role in Jesus' work is one of service, especially to the poor and lowly. Children were the symbol Jesus used for the anawim, the poor in spirit, the lowly in the Christian community." - NAB Commentary
When we think of the poor, we think of those who materially have nothing. Sometimes, we fail to think of those who poor in their ability to love and to serve. We are called to humbly serve all of God's children in His name, and in serving Him, loving Him.
It is in the giving our ourselves that we truly find ourselves. As Lent begins tomorrow, may we be mindful that our sacrifices benefit us, but also can be sacrifices that benefit the poor. If you are giving up something that you would spend money on, know that there is a great freedom in your sacrifice: the gift of being able to give more of your time and money in service to Him. In this, you will be great in His eyes because you will be learning how to love. Take care and God Bless.
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