Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37
If anyone wishes to rank first, he must remain the last one of all and the servant of all. v. 35
This gospel reading tells us that in order to become the greatest, we must become the smallest. It also tells us to look for Jesus not in the presence of some great person, but of a child. This scripture speaks both of children and of welcoming others: "Whoever welcomes a child such as this for my sake welcomes me."
HAVE A CHILDLIKE OPENNESS TO GOD
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus said in reference to our work with the poor, "I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me." Jesus calls us not only to a humble and childlike openness to God, but to an openness to the poor, who often are repulsive to us, reminding us of the deficiencies of our society and the ever-present possibility of our own material failure, or, worse yet, of the poverty of our soul. But if we are to be childlike, we must be open to the poor. It is the demand of today's gospel. If we are open to God, we must be open to people.
SEEK TO BE LAST & TO SERVE OTHERS
This gospel reading calls us to serve others, to seek to be "last," to be "the servant of all." If we are children, we will be servants. This appears foolish to us. As Paul says, "God has put us apostles at the end of the line. We are fools on Christ's account."
Are we childlike? Are we open to the full action of the Spirit in our life? Are we willing to deal with the scandal of poverty by working with the poor? Are we willing to become least and let others be great? If we think we have passed beyond such childlikeness, then we are merely childish. If we have not yet reached the attitude of a child, then we are not yet wise.
John Michael Talbot
2 comments:
I am very happy to find your blog. I listened to your music in the 80's and I thought you were not involved in this ministry any more. Hoorah! Now I can show my new friends your rich, soul-soothing music. I remember especially NO LONGER ALIENS. How I love that concept.
Thank you, Sir, for fulfilling the ministry God poured into your life. Blessings and peace to you.
Waneda Brownlow ( tracingthespiralsofmythoughts.blogspot.com )
I love meditating on what it means to have childlike faith. I know that in English this word "Faith" gets a little confusing, but literally we translate it as "Trust" in other languages.
The Trust of a Child.
My son trusts the promises that I make. It is awesome how this reminds me that my trust in God must be preceded by His Word.
But, my son trusts me completely and without reservation. If I tell my son that I will feed him dinner, he walks away and goes to play! And, he just waits expectantly.
It is awesome how our trust in God is proven by our actions!
Thank you for your words! They are very encouraging!
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