GOSPEL

Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.
  They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Reaching for the Highest

Jesus speaks to His disciples about the greatness of His mission—a supernatural mission, nothing less than the salvation of the world through the cross. He is about to reach the pinnacle of human dignity by giving His body for me.

In contrast, the disciples sought greatness through domination, attempting to impose themselves on others. This attitude clearly causes division among them, while Jesus’ approach fosters an alliance—a union stronger than death. So strong that nothing will separate us from Him. The question now is: Do I want to create separation with my spouse through domination, or union with him/her through service and sacrifice? I choose to love.

Applied to Married Life:

Bettany: Lord, I don’t feel valued for what I do as a wife and mother. But I know these feelings are temptations; my ego wants to be exalted through vanity, and I don’t want to succumb to that temptation. I would rather be humbled with You through my self-giving on the cross, as a wife who offers her sacrifices for the salvation of her husband and children. I am with You, Lord; I will follow You.
Jack: Lord, I ask for forgiveness for not embracing the gift You’ve given me through my wife, and I thank You for her, for she teaches me how to love. Please help me to be more humble.
Bettany: No, Jack, you are a wonderful gift to me. These are temptations I need to overcome. I love you.
Jack: I love you too.

Mother,

How ugly it is for us, your children, to try to impose ourselves on one another. It must be an immense pain for You to witness these divisions born from our desire to be greater than others. Only God exalts, and He exalts those who humble themselves. How beautiful is the path of God’s love. Praise be to Him.