Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
James 2:14-24, 26 | Ps. 112:1-6 | Mark 8:34-9:1
Today’s readings call us to look at the quality of our faith. Do we believe in God and not pay attention to our neighbor and his/her needs? Faith needs to be put in action. We cannot just believe and not care for others.
Jesus is trying to teach us the quality of living a life of faith. We must be willing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and take up the cross given us. This cross is not necessarily a large cross. Sometimes it may mean being kind to someone we do not like, etc. We are called not to think about ourselves first, rather to be willing to give up our life for the sake of others. Jesus also calls us to realize that if we have all the niceties of life and do not have God, we really are at a loss.
What duty do you have towards the poor? Are you called to find a way to support those who are hungry, homeless, and without sufficient clothing?
What priority does God have in your life? Is God first or is the making of a reputation and fortune first? What do you need to change? How will you go about that change?