Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God, and you came to save me from sin and the effects of my sin. I thank you for giving your life for me. I want to live for you and spend all of eternity with you in heaven, and I trust in your grace to be able to do so. Help me to rise out of my selfish ways today and to be a witness of your love to everyone I meet.

Petition: Jesus, open my eyes to see what leads me to sin, and grant me the courage and strength to tear myself away from it.

Gospel: Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us". But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched."

1. Whoever Is Not Against Us if For Us.

John rebukes someone for casting out demons in the name of Christ. Christ then rebukes John for doing so. Why was John being so territorial? Why was he so quick to stop someone doing good in the name of Christ? Should he not have been overjoyed to see powerful deeds done by anyone invoking the name of Christ?

John stumbles on a common challenge that we face every day; the challenge of charity. How quick we are to pass judgment on others. So often do we envy the good accomplishments of others, and by our slicing commentaries, try to belittle or stop their achievements. Why do we act this way? It is our pride at work. We want all the glory and attention. It is so difficult to take the center off of ourselves and put our focus on the good deeds of others. Pride fosters an inferiority complex so that if I point out the good in others, I feel like I am lesser in their eyes. Quite contrary is Christ's example, who praises and rewards the smallest good deed and fosters generosity. Jesus, open my eyes to see the good around me and to build it up rather than tear it down.

2. ...Because You Bear the Name of Christ.

And the king will say to them in reply, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Mt 25:40). This line from another parable echoes Christ's thought. Jesus identifies himself with each person and a good deed done to a nameless someone is the same as doing it for him.

There are countless opportunities each the day to grasp the challenge of charity, yet we miss so many because we our thoughts are focused on ourselves. We are blind to Christ who is present in the needs of our neighbor. We find ourselves too busy to lift a finger for someone, to share a simple smile, or to instill a word of encouragement. Furthermore,often we stumble upon impatience with our neighbor, reading bad judgments into their actions and brooding over their numerous irritations. Right here is where I need to show my love for you, Lord Jesus: through my example of charity.

"When it is impossible for you to overcome the bad feelings you have towards your neighbor or someone you know, put your faith into action and think: I want to love and serve Jesus Christ who is present in this person.' If you truly love Him, there will be no difficulty you cannot overcome." (Gospel Charity, Fr Marcial Maciel LC).

3."A Great Millstone."

Christ does not mince words when he addresses scandal and sin. To have a great millstone hung around your neck and thrown into the sea is better than leading others into sin. To cut off your hand or foot or tear out your eye is preferable to sinning. These are serious words. To enter into eternal life is no small matter, no sin is worth forfeiting eternity. To accept this we have to change our human way of thinking, and our instinct for immediate gratification. We have to take up this cross if we are going to follow Christ into eternal life.

"Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, Christians are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus' and so participate in the life of the Risen Lord. Following Christ and united with him, Christians can strive to be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love' by conforming their thoughts, words and actions to the mind . . . which is yours in Christ Jesus,' and by following his example." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1694)

Conversation with Christ:  Lord, many times I lose sight of my fundamental direction in life. I forget that the most lasting and important reality is to reach heaven, and to bring others to heaven. Flirting with sin is a dangerous game with eternal consequences. Yet, I get used to sin, I minimize it and I get comfortable with its company. Or I might want to leave it but I find myself unable to tear out of my life those things that lead me to sin. Worse still, my poor example might be making it more easy and excusable for others to do the same. Lord, free me from such a tragedy. Make my life fruitful in good deeds and a path to goodness and life for others. Teach me to imitate you and to lead others to heaven through a life of serviced and love.

Questionnaire: This optional questionnaire is intended to help you evaluate your life in light of the inspirations God just gave you in these moments you spent with him in prayer.

1. What are my most common offenses against charity -in thought, word and action-?

2. Therefore, in what ways can I improve the level of my charity? What do I need to do to detect the needs of others more and respond to them?