Reflection for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Times – Sept. 26, 2021

By Rita Melgares, Notre Dame Associate

As a prelude to this Sunday’s Gospel Reflection, we recall that Jesus has begun His public life, Proclaiming the Kingdom.

Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum. One day, John (one of Jesus’ disciples) told Him, “Teacher, we saw a man using Your name to cast out demons; but we told him not to, for he is not one of our group.” But Jesus saw this differently. Jesus told John, “Do not prevent him. Let him continue using My name, for no one who is using My name will speak ill of Me.”

John had this feeling of superiority because he was with Jesus and he felt that “his group” had the full possession of Jesus. But Jesus did not want anyone, even those who were very close to Him, to have the right to feel superior over anybody. The more we are close to Jesus, the more that we should become humbling, loving and tolerant.

ONE CHURCH…ONE HOME…ONE FAMILY

In preparing this Sunday’s Reflection, I was reminded that on Sunday, September 26, 2021, the Catholic Church will commemorate The World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Pope Francis announced this years’ theme as TOWARD AN EVER WIDER “WE”.

Catholics around the world are invited to pray for refugees and migrants as they encounter difficulties and hardships, and also to learn more about the benefits migration offers.

Pope Francis invites us to care for our entire human family through an “Inclusive” Church that reaches out and is capable of creating communion in “diversity.”

HERE ARE SOME THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER AS WE LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER:

Care for our common human home translates into care of our common family, care of the “WE” that can and must, become more open and welcoming;
Let us think no longer in terms of “them” and “those”, but only US!

September 26, 2021- World Day of Migrants and Refugees