The Inner Thoughts

Today’s Gospel Text: They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise." 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him. 33 And they came to Caper'na-um; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?" 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." 36 And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." Mark 9:30-37

Reflection: If only our thoughts were set open to the public gaze, we would either live in embarrassing shame or go to the other extreme of rebellious justification.  

In the gospel text we have the disciples discussing who was the greatest, when Jesus is giving them a serious talk about his impending death at the hands of men.Such is our sinful nature:

We could be at a funeral and our thoughts could be on apportioning of the property and wealth of the deceased or on self gratification.

We could be next to a sick person and yet more concerned when to feed ourselves rather than wait in that emergency situation.

We could be at a beach or a picnic and yet could be else where in voyeuristic zones. 

We could be on chat at a distance or on a phone and yet in the bedroom. 

Is it the music that is attractive or the singer or is it the story line of the movie that draws us to it or the actors that attract subliminally?.   

Alas the sinful human nature, that is so caught up in itself. Sometimes when these thoughts do get manifest either because of our lack of self control or on account of our sense of morality or because our body language betrays us then we do get into all sorts of justifications.

 

I may shock you further with this statement; Woe to those humans who lead the sincere followers  of Christ to such rebelliousness through condemnation, finger pointing and judgment. Would it not be better on their part, like a good Christian, to instead seek to help them out of their situation.

Jesus, though he knew what they were discussing, did hold on to an attitude of judgment and condemnation but rather, in all patience continued to teach them what is right and good, so as to empower them as future servants of the kingdom. 

He knew that they will soon give up on such self-centered ways and instead be instruments of his grace and mercy to others.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to look at the personal flaws and failings of others but to rather be an instrument of help and strength to them.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Immaculate Heart

Scripture/Bible:  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." 49 And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. Luke 2:41-51

Reflection: "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."

These words of Mary suggest disobedience concerning the child Jesus; "Son, why have you treated us so?

What else can be the treatment, except that Jesus took unilateral action to remain behind without informing the parents? It could be a case of over zealousness on the part of Jesus to embark on a ministry, before time, in which he may have been prepared by Mary herself.

"How is it that you sought me since I must be in my Father’s house?" And who taught him to utter these words? Could it be the Holy Spirit who taught Jesus how to answer his parents?

Listen carefully; “did you not know…..” This means they knew about it and they should have known it, that he was a dedicated child and that he should be after his Father business, because they taught him so.  

Did not Mary know that the Child born to her was from the Holy Spirit and so too Joseph his foster father, was it not revealed to him in a dream?   (Lk..1:32, 34)

Yes, they knew it, yet it was no reason for Jesus to behave this way with his parents, God had put them in charge over him for the moment and he had to be obedient to them.

In the light of this, we see Mary’s immaculate heart as shining example of love and respect to the God of history, conceived in her womb. 

She still dares to address him as “Son” and then the gentle rebuke, rather than the scold. Respecting his free will and capacity to think and judge and at the same time revealing the wonderful side of her humaneness in treating her child. This is so unlike most modern parents in spite of all their education.

Prayer:  By the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,  may we be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us