When I rose up to leadership which I reluctantly pursued, my heart was only on one thing. How I would work closely with the rest of the leaders to train, disciple and coach the next team of leaders to build our Lord’s Kingdom.
Then a new Parish priest arrived and decided that what we had planned was too complex, complicated and was not in line with his vision. Eventually I was ousted and reprimanded in front of my peers during a meeting. Needless to say I could not wrap my brain round it and even though I put on a brave front, I was deeply wounded.
I lost focus for many months trying hard to snap out of it! I kept asking the Lord why? Then within three months I received the same bible verses twice the same one in today’s first reading from two brothers in Christ who were deeply prayerful. I read the whole of the chapter not just this bit and was not only encouraged but I got back my focus; and that is the Lord and God our Father’s children where ever they may be. I was healed!
Lord Jesus let me gaze upon Your shining face this day and every day of my life. That I may see Your face upon the faces of our loving Father’s children and welcome them as You have welcomed me into Your heart. Amen
Saint Peter Damian, pray for us…
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First reading
Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11 ·
The chosen are tested like gold in the fire
My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for an ordeal.
Be sincere of heart, be steadfast,
and do not be alarmed when disaster comes.
Cling to him and do not leave him,
so that you may be honoured at the end of your days.
Whatever happens to you, accept it,
and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient,
since gold is tested in the fire,
and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation.
Trust him and he will uphold you,
follow a straight path and hope in him.
You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;
do not turn aside in case you fall.
You who fear the Lord, trust him,
and you will not be baulked of your reward.
You who fear the Lord hope for good things,
for everlasting happiness and mercy.
Look at the generations of old and see:
who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame?
Or who ever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken?
Or who ever called out to him, and was ignored?
For the Lord is compassionate and merciful,
he forgives sins, and saves in days of distress.
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Gospel
Mark 9:30-37
Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me
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.’
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