R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Today’s Sacred Gospel account tells of Jesus teaching His disciples. I venture to say most of us tend to focus on the last part of this passage where Jesus puts His arm around a child and exhorts us by saying, “Whoever received one child such as this in my name, receives me.”

What a wonderful image; an image many of us have seen through various artists’ renditions; Jesus, sitting on a rock holding a child on His lap. Sometimes the artist depicts two children, sometimes even infants, one on each lap, surrounded by other children who are smiling or leaning against His chest in perfect comfort and peace. These images evoke in us a loving Savior who welcomes all children regardless of race for they are all children of God.

One of my favorite depictions of Christ with children is a painting by Howard Lyon titled “I Am a Child of God”. (Check out his website https://www.howardlyon.com/fineart-blog/2015/5/2/i-am-a-child-of-god )

But there is something else in today’s Gospel reading that deserves closer thought. As Jesus is teaching his disciples he tells them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and after his death the Son of Man will rise.” Accordingly, “[the disciples] did not understand the saying.” But, here’s the clincher; “and they were afraid to question him.”

Let’s think about that for a moment. They are His disciples; He is their teacher. And they are afraid to question Him? Why are they so afraid?

Perhaps it’s because they did not want to hear an answer that would challenge them beyond their comfort zone. They were comfortable just being around Jesus. They liked sitting around Him; listening to Him explain the Scriptures or speaking about love and forgiveness. They felt comfortable in His company. They loved seeing the miracles and being chosen as His closest friends. In fact, at the Last Supper John, the Beloved, rests his head on Jesus’ chest in a posture of contentment and trust.

Maybe they were afraid of hearing a similar response Jesus gave to the rich young man; “Go sell all you have and give it to the poor.” Or, “forgive seventy times seven times.” Perhaps they were thinking, “These were tough things for us to witness. Let’s let a sleeping dog lie.” By not asking a question they were not expecting an answer. And, even when Jesus asks them a question, “they remained silent.” Truth be told, they wanted power. Each of them wanted to be the leader; the greatest.

Despite their silence Jesus challenges them. And He is quick to point out their fault. “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Eventually, all twelve Apostles will come to know the way to greatness is by serving others. They will learn that Jesus is meek and humble of heart and calls each of them to be the same. Eleven will even die a martyr’s death. And just as the Disciples would embrace humbly serving God’s people hopefully each of us, with the Grace of God, will come to know that true greatness is found in serving others.

Today’s Gospel contains both an invitation and a challenge. We are invited to take an inventory of our actions and ask if they are selfishly motivated or are directed toward serving others. With the invitation comes a challenge. Can we take a few moments each day to recall the day’s events and categorize our actions into one of two columns; column 1 – actions directed to self; column 2 – actions directed at serving others? This daily examine of conscience is necessary if we are to grow as disciples of Christ.

  

This weekend we celebrate Catechetical Sunday; a day to affirm that each of us, as baptized Catholics, are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. It is also a day on which we formally commission lay catechists who, along with each child’s parents and family, have the responsibility to teach our children and young adults about our Catholic Faith. In effect, each catechist is accepting the challenge to be servant to each student.

Perhaps you’ve heard the name Albert Schweitzer. Albert Schweitzer was one of the most famous missionary doctors of the 20^th century and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. “At age 30 he gave up his career as a concert performer for the rich people of Europe and became a missionary doctor for the poor people of Africa.” Having given up a life of comfort as a well respected musicologist and performer he felt called to serve in the missions. One of his most famous quotes states, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who sought and found how to serve [others].”

We would all do well to find ways to serve others. The Disciples did. So did Albert Schweitzer; and so do many more that follow Christ as a servant to others. Let us do all we can to support our catechists as they serve our children and youth. Let us be exemplary models of our Catholic Faith in our homes and places of work. Let’s leave our comfort zone; for whoever wants to be first must place oneself last and be the servant of all.

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

R. (6b)    The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty have risen up against me,
the ruthless  seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.