Feast of the Guardian Angels
Bar. 4:5-12, 27-29 |Ps. 69:33-37 | Mk. 18:1-5, 10
Baruch reminds the people that they are punished because they have turned from God and failed to carry out God’s Word. Then Baruch invites the people to turn to God and ask for pardon despite that fact that God has punished them for their evil ways. Baruch promises them that God’s love for them far surpassed God’s anger and they need but turn to God in confidence and ask for forgiveness.
Jesus is teaching the Apostles a lesson in humility. The Apostles are concerned about who is the greatest. Jesus turns this situation upside down and reminds the apostles that we do not think as God does. The greatest is the one who serves and the least is the one who is striving for power more than humility. The child who is invited to sit with Jesus is greater than all with the exception. Jesus is trying to teach us how we must enter into this picture and realize that power does not give us any status. In fact, it may even lead us further down the path to being the least.
Take time to look at your life and ask God to help you to rely on Him for all your needs and to be grateful for all that you have.