Catholic Identity
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
"All who wish to be first must make themselves the servants of all."
Year B | Sunday 19 September | green
Preparing to hear God's word
In this week’s gospel, the disciples argue about who is the ‘greatest’.
What does it mean to be a ‘great’ person? How do people show they are good by their actions?
The Gospel Story
The disciples are walking along discussing and arguing, probably in loud boisterous voices. When Jesus asks what they are talking about, they go very quiet. They have been caught out, like a bunch of naughty children. They have been arguing about who is the greatest and the best! Jesus takes the chance to teach them a lesson. He tells them that true greatness comes from serving others.
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 9:33-37
All who wish to be first must make themselves the servants of all.
Jesus and his disciples went to his home in Capernaum.
After they were inside the house, Jesus asked them,
"What were you arguing about along the way?"
They had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest,
and so they did not answer.
After Jesus sat down and told the twelve disciples
to gather around him,
he said, "If you want the place of honour,
you must become a slave and serve others!"
Then Jesus had a child stand near him.
He put his arm around the child and said,
"When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me.
And when you welcome me,
you welcome the one who sent me."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - discussion
Jesus uses the example of a child to teach his disciples. He tells them that even when they welcome a child, they welcome him. In the time and culture when Jesus lived, children had no status or social importance.
Jesus then tells his disciples that they must be like servants, rather than trying to be the best or the greatest. Talk about what it means to serve Jesus in our lives. What sorts of actions show that we serve Jesus? Being kind, helpful, genuine, sincere, working for peace and striving for justice are some ideas.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
"Anyone who is not against us is for us."
Year B | Sunday 26 September | green
Preparing to hear God's word
Have you ever been left out of a game? How did it feel?
Can you think of some times when you may have excluded someone else?
The Gospel Story
John complained to Jesus that he saw someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus. How dare he? This man, whoever he was, was not a disciple, one of the select few! Who did he think he was calling on the name and power of Jesus for assistance! Jesus tells his disciples to accept anyone who is ‘for’ them.
The Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 9:38-41
Anyone who is not against us is for us.
The disciple John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw a man using your name
to force demons out of people.
But he wasn't one of us,
and we told him to stop."
Jesus said to his disciples: "Don't stop him!
No one who works miracles in my name
will soon turn and say something bad about me.
Anyone who is not against us is for us.
And anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name,
just because you belong to me,
will surely be rewarded."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel - discussion
There are lots of examples in today’s world of exclusion and rejection. In the gospel story, Jesus calls us to be tolerant and accepting of others. He encourages us to welcome others into our group.
What does being “one of us” mean for your friendship group? Your class group? Your family group?
What are some ways we can exclude or reject people? How might it look different if we welcomed and accepted them?
