Peace for Us – Reflection on Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Jesus Christ, our Savior, actively engages in our faith. He helps us to read and understand scripture, be present, and do for others by keeping love at the top of our minds. As sons and daughters of God, followers of Jesus are a reflection and manifestation of Him within. Consider Jesus as a Jew who talks to people of other faiths. From His example, it appears that experiencing our commonality should come before differences. Jesus’s love within provides tolerance and breaks down walls, joining us purposefully to all creation. Lord, we pray that our dissimilarities do not get in the way of unifying around Your love and using Your name to bring “Peace for us.“ Amen
Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me, by James Tissot.
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Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 – Scripture*
Another Exorcist
38 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.” 39 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. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 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.
Temptations to Sin
42 “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. 43 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.
45 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. 47 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, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Reflection – Peace For Us.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen.
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Mark 9.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Peace For Us
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.