Daily Mass Reading & Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Monday, 17 February 2014 ~ Catholic Meditations

Daily Mass Reading & Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Monday, 17 February 2014 ~ Catholic Meditations

Meditation: Mark 8: The Demand for a Sign

11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”13 And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.

The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

He sighed. (Mark 8:12)

You’re going about your business, when out of the blue, someone makes a snide comment to your face. What would you do? If you’re like most people, you would get angry, and you would be tempted to make a vengeful retort. If you’re already stressed, that same comment might make you explode into a rage. But with the eyes of faith, we can see how these reactions are a sign that our fallen nature might be taking over—and that it’s a good time to remember what Jesus did in that same situation.

Surrounded by enemies who were constantly testing him, Jesus would have been justified in losing his temper. He was fully human, after all, so their slights likely hurt him just as much as they hurt us. But Jesus never returned their hostility with venom. When his tormentors asked him for yet another sign, Jesus just “sighed from the depth of his spirit” (Mark 8:12). Although clearly frustrated by their persistent unbelief, he didn’t retaliate. He just moved on quietly.

Jesus had a phenomenal mastery over his emotional life! While we often don’t need much to provoke us to pride or defensive anger, he always chose the way of humility. He knew that he didn’t have to promote himself. He knew that his mission was to do his Father’s will and to make him known. In this way, as in so many other ways, he showed himself to be the “perfect Son.”

But all is not lost for us. We can do more than just try with all our might to imitate Jesus—or worse, just give up in the face of challenges. Jesus’ own divine strength can become our strength. Because he experienced all the temptations we face and yet never gave in, we can ask him to bear our aggravation and frustrations. Because he offered a perfect sacrifice on the cross, we can share in his victorious life. When we embrace Godly self-control in our moments of anger, it’s a sign that his Spirit is at work in us. Then, people won’t see our “bad side”—they’ll see only Jesus!

“Lord Jesus, I marvel that you took on my ‘messy’ emotions as well as my sin. Fill me with your compassion so that I can forgive and love those who have hurt me.” Amen!

James 1: Salutation

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes[a] in the Dispersion:

Greeting.

Faith and Wisdom

2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7, 8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.

Poverty and Riches

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Footnotes:

a. 1.1 twelve tribes: i.e., Jewish Christians outside Palestine.

Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray;
    but now I keep thy word.

68 Thou art good and doest good;
    teach me thy statutes.

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn thy statutes.

72 The law of thy mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right,
    and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

76 Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me
    according to thy promise to thy servant.

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