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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, September 6, 2009
By Jeff Hedglen
Catholic News Service
September 6, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146:7-10
2) James 2:1-5
Gospel: Mark 7:31-37
I heard a story once about an obviously homeless man sitting on the steps of a church on a Sunday morning. He was wrapped in a dirty blanket, wore a hat and scarf and was hunched in a corner shielding himself from the cold.
As parishioners came up the steps they looked at him and hurried into the church. Inside there was some murmuring about the situation on the steps, but no one took any action.
As the service was about to begin the back doors of the church opened, and the man who had been sitting on the steps now slowly made his way down the center aisle. He sat in the first pew and readied himself for the service. The murmuring grew but still no one did a thing.
When it was time for the homily the priest said there was a visiting missionary who was going to give the message. At that point the man from the steps rose from his place in the first row and took his place at the ambo. He began to preach on James 2:1-5:
"My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, 'Sit here, please,' while you say to the poor one, 'Stand there,' or 'Sit at my feet,' have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?"
This Sunday's readings challenge us to look past ourselves and to put on the mind of Christ who is bigger than all obstacles. It is one thing to have a strong faith, but it is another thing altogether to put that faith into action. Jesus did not just say powerful words, he did powerful things. We are called to walk in his footsteps.
QUESTIONS:
How have you seen people being the hands and feet of Christ in the world? What are some of the things that hold people back from putting their faith into action?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?" (James 2:5)
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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