|
|
|
|
Word To Life
|
Sunday Scripture Readings, Sept. 20, 2009
By Sharon K. Perkins
Catholic News Service
September 20, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Psalm 54:3-6, 8
2) James 3:16 to 4:3
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
When we first got our now 7-year-old cat we named him "Mischief," and for good reason: He loved to chew things and caused frequent damage to blanket fringe, Venetian-blind cords and shoelaces when we weren't looking. It was an irritating quirk, but one that we learned to live with by protecting our belongings from his reach.
More antagonistic cat traits eventually surfaced when we had to leave Mischief alone in the house for extended periods of time. He "retaliated" by leaving us "surprises" where we couldn't fail to find them -- usually where we sat or walked. For a while, it seemed as though we were at war with our cat until we recognized that his behavior was directly related to his level of separation anxiety. The hostilities between us lessened as soon as we responded compassionately and stabilized his environment.
In some ways, people aren't that much different from cats. Even well-trained, well-meaning folks can get cranky when exhausted or be callous toward others when anxious. Historians have written volumes about the recurrent patterns of war and bloodshed that occur when fear-based ideologies and severe levels of stress influence entire peoples to act against their common humanity.
Today's readings illustrate but a few of a gamut of passions that are responsible for such human carnage: resentment toward those who would point out our faults, jealousy, "selfish ambition," covetousness and lack of trust. The Gospel of Jesus provides a simple but paradoxical antidote: "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Putting those words into action, Jesus carried this axiom to its ultimate conclusion when he carried his cross to Calvary.
Demonstrating compassion toward another human being can often be more challenging than showing mercy to one's cat. The same Jesus who died and rose for all of us impassioned, conflicted people gives us both the means and the will to be servants to one another.
QUESTIONS:
What human passion is most at the root of your unkindness to others? To whom do you need to demonstrate Christ's compassion today?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from?" (James 4:1)
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.
|
|
|
|
