Introductory Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I have two options in life; to live for myself or to live for you. I want to live for you and spend all of eternity with you in heaven. Accomplishing this feat, however, requires me to tear selfishness out of my life. I must smash the stumbling blocks of sin, to live like you, O Lord. Help me, dear Jesus, to rise out of my selfish ways and remain a witness of your love to everyone I meet.

 

Petition:  Jesus, open my eyes to see the stumbling blocks of sin in my life, and grant me the strength to smash them and the courage to live as an example of your love.

 

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 Is 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 from 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? Because of our pride. We want 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, which lauds the good deeds and fosters unity. Jesus, open my eyes to see the good around me and to build up the good 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'" (Matthew 25:40). This line from a previous parable probably echoed in the mind of John as Jesus said "because you bear the name of Christ." Jesus identifies himself with each person and a good deed done to a nameless someone is the same as doing it for Christ.

 

There are countless moments through the day for us to grasp the challenge of charity, yet we miss so many chances because we are focused on ourselves. We are blind to the face of Christ 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 better than leading yourself into sin. These are serious words. To enter into eternal life, however, is no small matter, either. No sin is worth forfeiting eternity, and we must back this up with action.

 

Conversation with Christ:  Lord, many times I lose sight of my fundamental direction in life. I forget that the most important reality is getting myself and others to heaven. Flirting with sin is a dangerous game with eternal consequences. Yet, how often I am comfortable with sin around me and fail to have the vigilance I need to preserve my life of grace! Worse still, by my poor example, I promote a lax disposition to sin. May I never be a stumbling block to others or to myself. Teach me to imitate you and lead others to heaven through my example of love.

 

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)

 

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

 

1. What are my most grievous offenses against charity? Is it my habitual judgments of others? Do I find myself often tearing others down by my uncharitable comments?

 

2. Considering my biggest fault against charity, in what ways can I improve my daily acts of charity? How can I see the needs of others more often and respond to them?

 

3. Where do I give scandal of sin to others? Where is it that I tolerate sin in my life? How can I avoid the occasion of these sins?