26th Sunday of Ordinary Time - B

The Word of God Enflames our Faith - Year of Faith 2012-2013

by Teresa Monaghen

Gospel Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
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.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
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.

"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.
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.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

My Commentary -In this year of faith starting in a few weeks we are reminded strongly not to become lax, insipid, tasteless...The document Porta Fidei #3 says "we cannot accept that salt should become tasteless or the light be kept hidden (cf Mt. 5:13-15)". A radical commitment to the Gospel is required! We are invited this week to a radical conversion. The Gospel wants to correct the wrong idea of what it means to be a Christian (9:38-40), reminding us to get up and give the cup of cold water to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot sit back but GET UP, OFFER, GIVE (9:41). We are to live in such a way that we will not scandalize the little ones especially in our insipidity, tastelessness, lack of luster, or joy (9:42). Finally we are called to a radical  commitment so much so that nothing should keep us from growing in holiness and if it does, we must ask the Lord for the strength to even pluck out our eyes or cut off our hands if they should holds us back (9:43-48).

Colloquy: Oh Lord, I do desire to go all the way, but I am more talk than action. I pray this week that you will open my heart and explode the rubble of my mediocrity with your absolute, unconditional love for me, and filled with this awareness may I love with the love you fill me with, and give fully from the life-giving graces you give me to share with everyone, especially the little ones. Amen.