saint scholastic holy name monastery painting

 

October 22 2006

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 53:10-11 The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life,and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,and all his works are trustworthy.He loves justice and right;of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,upon those who hope for his kindness,To deliver them from deathand preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,who is our help and our shield.May your kindness, O LORD, be upon uswho have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

lMk 10:35-45 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glorywe may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drinkor be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to givebut is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them,"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentileslord it over them,and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you.Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be servedbut to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Sometimes I think that my wanting to be a Religious Sister could be Like James and John wanting to ask for special seats of honor. With true faith there is no need to ask to be in a seat of honor with the Lord. The Lord loves those who are humble of heart. I know that I have a loving heart and sometimes to just be a Sister is more of a social role than a true role of faith. I pray to do the will of God with love everyday and serve the Lord God with my whole heart and soul and being. I pray for a listening heart and willing mind and body. I am grateful for the extraordinary good health that I have been blessed with and the rewarding ministries that I have been given. I pray tomorrow to follow God more closely, more fully and be a light to others of love in the world.