22 September 2024
Lectionary Readings: Wis. 2:12. 17-20; Ps. 54, 3-4. 5. 6-8; Jas. 3:16-4:3; Mk. 9:30-37
Theme: Encountering the Anawim of the Lord
The Gospel of Mark may highlight a general weakness in Christian culture: human forgetfulness.  Jesus attempts to underscore this through this verse: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me…” (Mk9: 37) One might invoke the concept of Anawim; indeed, the NABRE Bible notes, “Children were the symbol Jesus used for the Anawim, the poor in spirit, the humble within the Christian community.” The concept of being ‘poor in spirit’ is fundamental because it represents a state of humility and self-awareness. In this state, a person is able to think, reflect, and be receptive to the perspectives of others. In fact, this is highlighted in the book of Proverbs “Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever ponders a matter will be successful; happy the one who trusts in the Lord!” (Prov. 16: 18-20) On the contrary, it is in a state of pride that humans often forget to listen to others and to the voice of the Lord, leading to great, and sometimes irreversible, physical and spiritual harm.
Moreover, it is through humility that humans learn to seek wisdom and request help; it is in humility that we become truly human, as we yearn to be with others, to communicate with them, and to listen to them, to help and to be helped etc. And this is the essence of becoming human. It is the hope of every Christian believer for it is the very meaning of the Kingdom of God: to be in communion with the others in peace and in the abundance of God’s grace. Now the notion of “The others” is not confined to humanity; it encompasses all that is external to us, including the entirety of creation, everything that exists on Earth and throughout the galaxy, and perhaps even our Lord Himself.
Finally, the first two readings emphasize the name of God as presented in the Gospel. (v. 37) and in the psalm “God, by your name save me.” (Ps. 54:3) The two readings complement each other; the first highlights the characteristics and how to welcome the other, while the second emphasizes the proper way to petition and ask God.
For Reflection and Discussion:Â 1. When was the last time I managed to listen attentively to the other(s)? Â 2. When was the last time I asked and pleaded with the other(s) in humility like the anawim?
Bibliography: The Catholic Study Bible 3rd ed. New American Bible Rev. Ed. (2016) Oxford University Press
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Jefferson Philip Jacob Reyes, France, Bat Kol Alumnus: 2019
[Copyright © 2024]
Comments are closed