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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Sept. 27, 2009
By Jeff Hensley
Catholic News Service
September 27, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14
2) James 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
As I tried to think of good and holy people who had followed the advice of James to seek justice and avoid the selfish greed that would cause us to treat those who work for us unjustly, I came up with a fairly long list of names.
I found many still on the list when I added the requirement, spoken of in the psalm, of scrutinizing our behavior before God, even humbly imploring him to reveal our unrecognized sins, so that we might correct our behavior.
Some were men, some women, some lay people and some priests and deacons, along with a number of religious sisters and brothers.
But particularly prominent were four priests of varied ages who had given up wealth and public acclaim and the privileges that go along with these things.
Each had been highly successful. Two had family money. Another previously had been at the top of his field, attaining an income that allowed him to drive a fancy sports car he had thought would bring him fulfillment but still left him wanting something more.
In this weekend's Old Testament account, the Spirit of the Lord came on the two men who were not present when the Lord made his presence known to Moses and the 70 elders gathered in the tent.
In the same way, God had come to each of these priests, calling them out from their positions of privilege to pursue the higher good of serving God and his people. They responded by forsaking material wealth and the freedom to pursue personal gain so that they might speak God's words to all people, encouraging others to grow in holiness and charity.
Jesus calls all of us to be his servants where we are, to act humbly and justly, to seek the personal holiness that the psalm and the Gospel speak of, to speak and live his words. And when we act as his disciples, he will treasure us as he treasured his first disciples to whom he said, "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."
QUESTIONS:
Do you know men and women who strive to live lives of holiness in service to God and others? What steps can you take to move toward a more just and holy life?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!" (Numbers 11:29d)
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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