Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B September 30, 2018

First Reading
Numbers 11:25-29
The Lord bestows his spirit on the seventy elders.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 19:8,10,12-13,14
The Law of the Lord brings joy.

Second Reading
James 5:1-6
James chastises the rich.

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Jesus teaches that whoever is not against him is for him.

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.'"


Background on the Gospel Reading
Today we continue to read from the Gospel of Mark. Recall that last week
we heard Jesus chastise his disciples for their argument about who among
them was the greatest. Jesus taught them that the greatest among them will
be those who serve the least ones. In today's Gospel, the disciple John
questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in
Jesus' name. John's question might have been motivated by jealousy.
Previously in Mark's Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had
been unable to heal. John's question is further evidence that the
disciples have not yet grasped Jesus' words to them. They continue to
compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and
they do not want to share the power of Jesus' name with others.

Today the demon possession described in the Gospels might be seen as a
form of mental illness, but the need for healing these syndromes was as
real then as it is now. Exorcism was a common practice in first-century
Palestine. Some people had the power to heal the symptoms of possession.
One of the strategies used was to invoke the name of a person or figure
who was believed to have the power to heal. The disciples observed that
the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus' name and was successful in his healing
efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus' name, yet he
was not a follower of Jesus. In his reply to his disciples, Jesus
acknowledges that deeds of faith can precede the words of faith. He also
teaches that the disciples should not be reluctant to share Jesus' healing
powers with others.

Later in this Gospel, Jesus teaches us not to create obstacles for those
who are just beginning to have faith but to encourage even the smallest
signs of faith. The Greek word used here for sin also connotes "stumbling"
or "causing scandal." In vivid terms Jesus teaches his disciples the
consequences to those who would put obstacles before people who are on the
road to faith.


Family Connection

The second part of today's Gospel contains a strong message for those who
share the responsibility of fostering faith. It is indeed an awesome
responsibility. Today's Gospel reminds us that faith is a lifelong journey
toward God. We don't always get it all or even get it right. But we pray
for the grace to acknowledge and build upon even the smallest signs of
faith, in ourselves and in others. There are plenty of obstacles that
might prevent the growth of faith. Let us pray that we are not
contributing to the obstacles that might hinder another person's faith in
Jesus.

As you gather as a family, observe that there are things in our lives that
nurture our faith and things that can hinder it. Talk about some of the
things that nurture our faith—healthy family relationships, healthy
friendships, good literature, and so on. Name some of the things that
might be an obstacle to faith—unhealthy relationships, scandals, and so
on. Observe that Jesus teaches us in today's Gospel that we are to do
everything we can to help one another have faith in Jesus and do all that
we can to avoid creating obstacles that might hinder another person's
faith. Read together today's Gospel, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48. Conclude by
praying together that we will be a family that helps each other grow in
faith. Pray together today's psalm, Psalm 19, or the Lord's Prayer.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings

More wisdom from Steve Ray

When Stephen says he sees the Son of Man seated at the right hand, the Sadducees draw allusions; they know these passages. If I were to say to you, “O say can you see,” and stop: What just went through your minds? A flag waving, cannons, the Revolutionary War, independence. All that went through your minds, but I didn’t say that. If I say, “O say can you see,” to someone in Bangladesh, they’ll say, “See what?” But when I say it to you, you are culturally literate. When Jesus or Stephen or any of the others used these kinds of buzzwords in the New Testament, the Jews understood. The psalm continued in their heads, they knew these passages. Not only do they see that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, but the next thing is what? “Til I make my enemies a footstool.” You Sadducees are going to be a footstool for him!

—STEVE RAY from Acts of the Apostles

Wisdom from Dr. Scott Hahn

Christ is successful in a public way for the sake of the world. Christ’s failures are actually his glory. That’s the cryptogram for all Christians. He just said, ‘He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it.’ ‘Want to see? Exhibit A, it’s me. Because I’ve come to my hour,’ and it’s the hour of his Passion, the hour of his Death, the hour of his humiliation and his Resurrection. Communicating this message to all Christians: be conformed to Christ. You’re successful in your ministry with your gifts in converting people and in deepening the faith of your roommate or your friends or family for their sake. But you suffer and you fail and you’re humiliated for your own sake. We think when we prosper, we’re growing. No. When we prosper, others grow. When we fail, then we grow.

—DR. SCOTT HAHN from The Gospel of John

The key to self-knowledge

All of us are born with distinct personality traits. Some of us live for crowds and parties; others seek solitude and time for quiet reflection. Some of us are naturally pushy, while others are content just to get along. We don’t pick and choose these traits; they’re just part of the way we’re made. In the womb, God doesn’t merely mold our body. He also gives us the temperament that colors our understanding, guides our choices, and serves as the foundation of our moral and spiritual life. Ancient philosophers identified four basic temperaments, and over the centuries, countless wise souls have used these four to understand human nature. Now comes the first Catholic book on the subject in 70 years . . . Here veteran Catholic counselor Art Bennett and his wife Laraine provide an accessible synthesis of classical wisdom, modern counseling science, and Catholic spirituality: a rich understanding of the temperaments and what they mean for you and for your family. Drawing on decades of study, prayer, and practical experience, Art and Laraine show you how to identify your own temperament and use it to become what God is calling you to be: a loving spouse, an effective parent, and a good friend. Best of all, they give you a Catholic understanding of the four temperaments that will bring you closer to God and help you discover the path to holiness that's right for you. The Temperament God Gave You: The Classic Key to Knowing Yourself,  Getting Along with Others, and Growing Closer to the Lord by Art and Laraine Bennett Paperback — 288 pages List price: $18.95 Today's Sale Price: $15.99! ORDER NOW What Readers Are Saying: "This is the book that totally changed the way I relate to others in a down-to-earth, practical way. " "One of the most insightful books I've ever read." "The knowledge you find here about the four temperaments can make an incredible difference in your personal life, your marriage, family life and all of your relationships." "This book can literally save relationships."   And for those who are married . . . Rich with temperament wisdom, The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse was designed specially for couples and is guaranteed to improve your marital communication, intimacy, and happiness. In no other human relationship is knowledge of the temperaments so critical — and so helpful — as in Christian marriage. It's only through mutual understanding of our own patterns of reaction, and those of our spouse, that we can motivate, nurture, respect, and above all, love each other with the selfless patience to which Christ calls us in the sacrament. Art and Laraine Bennett will explain: The four kinds of spouses — which kind did you marry?   How temperament affects the way you and your spouse work, pray, argue, socialize, and show affection   Tips for developing the communication skills that your temperament needs most, and for nurturing them in your spouse   All the possible temperament combinations in marriage, and how to handle the unique challenges that yours creates   Proven ways to figure out what really makes your spouse tick True marital contentment lies not in changing the way God made our loved ones, but in appreciating it — and helping them to perfect it. Read this book and discover a new world of understanding and respect for the person you married.   Get BOTH books for only $24.99! ORDER NOW

More wisdom from Joseph Ratzinger

This is the question that arises over and over again, particularly in our hour of a new paganism and also of a new longing for God: Is the light of God, the light of Jesus Christ, hidden under the bushel of our habits, our indifference, under the flood of our words, so that beneath them the word can no longer shine forth? Or can it emerge and once again become light for all who live in God’s house, in his creation?

—JOSEPH RATZINGER from Teaching and Learning the Love of God: Being a Priest Today

Wisdom from St. Claude de la Colombière

If you are sinful, repent so that you can communicate often. If you are imperfect, go often to Communion that you may amend your faults.

—ST. CLAUDE DE LA COLOMBIÈRE from The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude de la Colombière

OUR KINSHIP WITH JESUS AND MARY

Reading for Today - Tuesday, September 25, 2018

1st READING - Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13

Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44
R: Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

Luke 8:19-21

19 The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” 21 He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Reflection

“My mother and brothers are those who listen to the words of God and do it.” These were Jesus’ words when some people tried to get His attention by telling Him that His Mother and brothers were looking for Him as He was speaking to some eager listeners. Far from other people’s belief that Jesus dismisses His Mother by saying so, He actually extols His Mother with those words. For His Mother was the first one who heard God’s words and believed them. She listened to God’s words and really looked forward to seeing their fulfillment in her life.

She knew, as exhibited by her words during the visitation, that what just happened to her was a fulfillment of the promise — God’s words of old — that would be realized in and through her. With those words, Jesus said something like, “Look at My Mother here. Yes, she is so blessed for giving birth to Me, but more blessed is she for having listened to My Father’s words and believing that they would be realized in her. Look at her, a perfect example of what I’m telling you. She becomes more of a mother to me because of her continuous receptivity and obedience to God’s words spoken through Me.”

Those words of Jesus should encourage us. For with those words, we have been made eligible to this divine kinship that we may perhaps be thinking is exclusive to Mary, Joseph, or even the Apostles. Now we know we can be “related” to Christ. And the way to enter this relationship is by hearing the words of God and obeying them. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

More wisdom from Mary Woodward Kochan

The proper relationship between faith and reason is obtained when we are using our reason to penetrate ever more deeply the mysteries of God that have been revealed. As St. Anselm said, 'our faith seeks understanding.'

—MARY WOODWARD KOCHAN from Inside the Watchtower

Verified Miracles from 20th Century Saints

God doesn’t need humans to work miracles for Him. But it certainly pleases Him to perform great miracles by means of human prayers and human hands. In fact, there have been numerous verified miraculous healings brought about in our lifetime. For more than 25 years, America’s most experienced and revered saint-watcher Patricia Treece has gathered fascinating reports of miraculous healings brought about in our lifetime. Among them is the complete cure of Sr. Marie Simon-Pierre’s advanced Parkinson’s disease after she appealed for healing to the just-deceased Pope John Paul II. After intense scrutiny, the Vatican declared her healing miraculous, leading to John Paul’s beatification and canonization. You’ll read vivid but sober accounts of the lives and of the miracles wrought by some of the greatest 19th and 20th century saints including . . . André Bessette John Bosco Frances Cabrini Solanus Casey John Paul II  Padre Pio Elizabeth Seton Francis Xavier Seelos Fulton Sheen Mother Teresa . . . and other good men and women blessed by God. The healings documented here are not hasty judgments made by gullible, overwrought believers. They’re instantaneous, complete, and permanent cures for which scientific medicine still has no explanations — cures that also meet the Vatican’s stringent seven-part test of authenticity. When faced with a woman skeptical about whether she could be cured, the healer Solanus Casey is reported to have said. . . “Don’t you know that God can cure cancer just as easily as the common cold?” Not only can God do this: these pages show that He is doing it. . . . . . so often and so obviously that even in our day miraculous healings are giving pause to hardened skeptics and bringing joy to the hearts of believers. May they bring joy to your heart as well and renew the confidence in His love that God yearns for you to have. Nothing Short of a Miracle: God's Healing Power in Modern Saints by Patricia Treece Paperback — 336 pages  List price: $19.95  Today's Sale Price: $15.99! ORDER NOW "This book will give you confidence that God continues to make possible the impossible through those who trust in Him."" Fr. Benedict Groeschel "At a time when the world has deluded itself into thinking that science has all the answers, this book reminds us that God has answers of his own." Patrick Coffin "Here you'll find answers to questions not just about miracles, but about what can happen to you if you dare to say yes to the Love behind them." Matthew Kelly More on Lives of the Saints:    SEE MORE SAINTS Please share this email with your family and friends to remind them of God's miraculous healing power. Share Tweet Forward Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com Get one book a month for only $15? Learn more: