Reflection for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sept. 19, 2021

By Judith McCallum Moe, Notre Dame Associate

In the Gospel, Mark relates to us that as Jesus traveled with his disciples, he attempted to tell them that the Son of Man would be turned over to those who would kill him, and in three days the Son of Man would rise. But they did not understand and were afraid to question Him.

We hear the lament of the psalmist:

O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
Harken to the words of my mouth.   

  1. 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.

  1. The Lord upholds my life.

James warns us: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is… every foul practice.”

In this very moment, we have brothers and sisters all over the world who live in fear for their lives. So many are being turned over to those who will harm them or kill them. Let us pray that we understand the danger they face so that our hearts are not hardened by our turning away from them.

And as James instructs, let us turn our hearts toward: “Wisdom from above [which is] first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle…full of mercy without…insincerity.” Let us pray over the great peril that faced Christ as he prepared to face his enemies. And let us offer up prayers for God’s people who are facing persecution now, in our own time.

Thanks be to God.