Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you. I believe that you are here, that you see me and hear me. Lord, I hope in you. You are the goal of my life; you are my life. In you I find happiness and peace. Lord, I love you for you have done so much for me. You have given me life, and you have given me my family and friends. You have given me the gift of faith. Increase my faith. . Help me to recognize you active in my life. Help me to open my heart to your voice and to understand what you are asking of me. Be with me during this time of prayer together, and help me to open my heart to you.

Petition: Lord, I ask you to help me to be humble and to make a permanent decision to serve you and others.

Gospel: Mk 9: 30-37

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

1. Jesus Speaks of His Passion and Death.

It seems that Jesus' words fall on deaf ears. His disciples are not listening to him. Jesus speaks of his betrayal and death to prepare them for the trying days ahead in Jerusalem, where he will be handed over to the Romans and put to death. Yet his disciples seem more concerned about their own position and power. They are focused totally on themselves. Their selfishness and self-absorption keep them from hearing Jesus and understanding what he is telling them.

What is the basic disposition of my soul? Am I wrapped up in myself and totally absorbed in my world and my things? How much do I think about myself and how much do I think about Christ and what he suffered to free me from my sins?

Let us ask Christ to be open to his voice to pay attention to him, to his concerns, to his plans to save all people from sin.

2. They Didn't Understand and Were Afraid to Ask Him.

Sometimes pride keeps us from asking others to help us. Jesus was telling them something important that had to do with him and with them. They were part of Christ's team, traveling the countryside and preaching the good news that the Kingdom of God was near. They had witnessed so many miracles. Jesus never turned anyone away. He healed all who came to him with faith. What was there to be afraid of? Yet, how often are we afraid of God and what he has to say to us.

Fear is the legacy of sin. After Adam and Eve fell from grace they hid themselves from God. When we detect fear in our relationship with God we need to bring this into our prayer. Here we can focus on God's goodness and remember his love. God only wants what is best for me. He created me out of love and for love. He died on a cross to free me from sin. What is there to be afraid of? If there is something in my life that I don't understand, I can't let pride stop me from asking for God's help or asking those who represent God to guide me.

3. Whoever Would Be First Must Be Servant of All.

What a contrast we see in the Gospel passage, between Christ and his disciples. Jesus was selfless. His concern was always for others. He sought only their good, to heal them of sin and to restore them to the grace of God's friendship through a horrible death and torture on Calvary. His disciples are thinking only of their own power and position when Christ's kingdom comes. This keeps them trapped in their own little world of petty concerns, slaves to their passions of pride and sensuality. They lack the interior freedom of self-less service.

Whoever would follow Christ must pick up his own cross. We don't follow Christ for riches and honor. We don't follow him for the praise and esteem of men. We follow because we have been touched by Christ's love and we want to respond with the gift of our own life.

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, so often fear causes me to turn away from you and toward myself. Your love for the Father and for me moved you to follow your Father's plan perfectly - even to your death on the cross. I want open my heart to hear your voice and respond out of love for you. I want to strengthen my love for you so I can serve others as you did. When your path becomes too difficult and I begin to fear, it is then that I want to show my love and gratitude to you by picking up my cross and trusting in you.

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. How often do I think of Christ and how often am I the center of my thoughts and concerns?

2. How often do I think and meditate on what Christ has done for me, his Incarnation, his Passion and Death on Calvary?

3. What have I done for Christ or for those he loves? What will I do for him today?