GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY : Monday - September 26, 2022

 

Monday - September 26, 2022

Do something good for someone 

you like least today.

-Saint Anthony of Padua

September 26, 2022

Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 455

 

Reading 1                                                     JB 1:6-22

 

One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,

Satan also came among them.

And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”

Then Satan answered the LORD and said,

“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.”

And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,

and that there is no one on earth like him,

blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”

But Satan answered the LORD and said,

“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?

Have you not surrounded him and his family

and all that he has with your protection?

You have blessed the work of his hands,

and his livestock are spread over the land.

But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,

and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”

And the LORD said to Satan,

“Behold, all that he has is in your power;

only do not lay a hand upon his person.”

So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

 

And so one day, while his sons and his daughters

were eating and drinking wine

in the house of their eldest brother,

a messenger came to Job and said,

“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,

and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.

They put the herdsmen to the sword,

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was yet speaking, another came and said,

“Lightning has fallen from heaven

and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,

“The Chaldeans formed three columns,

seized the camels, carried them off,

and put those tending them to the sword,

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was yet speaking, another came and said,

“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine

in the house of their eldest brother,

when suddenly a great wind came across the desert

and smote the four corners of the house.

It fell upon the young people and they are dead;

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.

He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,

 

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,

and naked shall I go back again.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD!”

 

In all this Job did not sin,

nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.

 

Responsorial Psalm                                              PS 17:1BCD, 2-3, 6-7

 

R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

 

Hear, O LORD, a just suit;

attend to my outcry;

hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

 

From you let my judgment come;

your eyes behold what is right.

Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,

though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.

R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

 

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my word.

Show your wondrous mercies,

O savior of those who flee

from their foes to refuge at your right hand.

R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

 

Alleluia                                                                      MK 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel                                                                       LK 9:46-50

 

An argument arose among the disciples

about which of them was the greatest.

Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child

and placed it by his side and said to them,

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,

and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

For the one who is least among all of you

is the one who is the greatest.”Then John said in reply,

“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name

and we tried to prevent him

 because he does not follow in our company.”

Jesus said to him,

“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

 

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Supporting One Another

Why would the Apostles try to prevent someone from casting a demon out in Jesus’ name?  Jesus was not concerned about it and, in fact, tells them not to prevent him.  So why were the Apostles concerned?  Most likely because of jealousy. 

The jealousy we see in this case among the Apostles is one that can creep into the Church at times.  It has to do with a desire for power and control.  The Apostles were upset because the person casting out demons did not follow in their company.  In other words, the Apostles were not able to be in charge of this person. 

Though this may be hard to understand it may be helpful to see it in a modern context.  Say someone is in charge of a ministry at church and another person or persons start up a new ministry.  The new ministry is quite successful and, as a result, those who have been working in the older more established ministries may get upset and a bit jealous. 

This is silly but it’s also reality.  It happens all the time, not only within a church setting but also in our daily lives.  When we see someone else doing something that is successful or bearing good fruit, we may get envious or jealous.  

In this case, with the Apostles, Jesus is quite understanding and compassionate about the whole thing.  But He is also quite clear.  “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”  Do you see things in life this way?  When someone does well do you rejoice or are you negative?  When another does good things in Jesus’ name, does that fill your heart with gratitude that God is using that person for good or do you get envious? 

Reflect, today, upon the many good things going on all around you.  Reflect, especially, upon those who are furthering the Kingdom of God.  And reflect upon how you feel about them.  Pray that you will see them as your coworker in the vineyard of Christ rather than as your competitor

Today’s Prayer

Lord of true goodness, I thank You for the many good things taking place within Your Church and within society.  Help me to rejoice in all that You do through others.  Help me to let go of any struggle I have with envy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

 

 

God Bless You.....

The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”