7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Philip Neri, priest
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green/White)
Ps 141:1-2, 3 & 8
Let my prayer come like incense before you.
1st Reading: Jas 5:13-20
Are any among you, discouraged? They should pray. Are any of you happy? They should sing songs to God. If anyone is sick, let him call on the elders of the Church. They shall pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer said in faith will save the sick person; the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
There will be healing, if you confess your sins to one another, and pray for each other. The prayer of the upright man has great power, provided he perseveres. Elijah was a human being, like ourselves, and when he prayed, earnestly, for it not to rain, no rain fell for three and a half years. Then he prayed again: the sky yielded rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Brothers, if any one of you strays far away from the truth, and another person brings him back to it, be sure of this: he who brings back a sinner from the wrong way, will save his soul from death and win forgiveness for many sins.
Gospel: Mk 10:13-16
People were bringing their little children to him to have him touch them; and the disciples rebuked them for this.
When Jesus noticed it, he was very angry and said, “Let the children come to me and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and, laying his hands on them, blessed them.
Reflections
whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it
In Jesus’ time, children were shooed away from adult conversations. How refreshing to hear that Jesus took children in his arms, laid his hands on them and blessed them.
Many of our statues and icons present a sober and stoical Jesus, one not too approachable. Only recently have artists depicted a Jesus smiling or laughing. Yet the historical Jesus, despite his commanding presence, drew children to him. We can imagine children begging to be lifted up, clambering to sit on his lap, and wringing his neck with their arms. May we approach Jesus eagerly like children.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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