"WHOEVER RECEIVES ONE CHILDSUCH AS THIS IN MY NAME,
RECEIVES ME; AND WHOEVER RECEIVES ME,
RECEIVES NOT ME BUT THE ONE WHO SENT ME."
The aspiration to rise above others is deeply rooted in the heart of man. Its source is usually pride. On this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are invited to overcome that pride with humble and generous service.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges his disciples and us to be the servant of all. That is the most practical and effective way to counteract the devastating consequences of “the passions that make war within our members.”
(Second Reading)
In this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace to be able to serve with love and for love. And as we continue the celebration of National Catechetical Month, we are also invited to pray for all catechists so that they may not only teach but also live the faith.
Jesus and his disciples left from there [the place near Mt. Tabor] and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
