Por Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB
Today’s Scriptures teach us to be aware that there are those ever ready to assault us. We seek to live rightfully in ways pleasing to God. Enemies of our souls let us flirt with evil, commit sin. Permitting thus, we stand outside the gates of hell, ready to enter the realms of darkness and hatred, ready for an awful eternity. The Book of Wisdom warns us, beware! The wicked tested Christ by torments: ‘Let us see if God will help this just man.’ Likewise, they test us by the pleasures of sinful ways, but these open the gate to the eternal torment of hell.
St. James warned Christians not to let jealousy or selfish ambition control their lives. These lead to turmoil, to hearts closed to peace and justice. He asked where war and conflicts came from and answered, from passion. He listed what selfishness causes: desire for others’ possessions, killing, fighting, war, unanswered petitions, or, if answered, using gains only to satisfy passions. Rather than this, St. James offers what one obtains by acting with godly Wisdom: peace, gentleness, willingness to agree, mercy, and plentiful good works. The Apostle declared sovery nicely, “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.”
In the gospel, St. Mark presented Jesus on His return to Galilee after His stay in pagan territory. He did so quietly, instructing His apostles on the way 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.” Mark, most likely informed by Peter, added only that the disciples could not understand what Jesus meant but were afraid to question Him. We might add, “Yet, faithfully they believed.”
When they arrived at Capernaum and entered the home of Peter, Jesus continued to teach and He asked, “What were you arguing about on the way?” They didn’t answer because they were quarreling about who was first. He sat with the Twelve and taught them lessons on humility good for all of us. Those who want to be first may end up last. As he received a lowly child, so they must accept the lowly. Doing so they accept Him and more. They also accept His Father. They attain salvation.
May we serve You, Lord, with all our hearts.