Focus on the Littlest Things
Feb 25: Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
I just discovered I’m using Substack wrong. I wanted to keep these reflections free, but in order to incentivize some paying readers, I published the post early for them. I would still release the post to all readers on the day of the reading. At least, that’s what I thought was happening.
It clearly says “post and email free subscribers.” But it turns out, if I sent an early, free preview, then free subscribers wouldn’t get a second email when the post unlocks!
My wife told me one of her friends mentioned I hadn’t been writing, even though I had. I think this is why she thought that—Substack wasn’t sending the second, unlocked email. And I had no idea this was happening!
(As an aside, today’s Gospel is about the Apostle’s confusion, so at least I’m not the only one who’s mixed up today.)
So I apologize, free readers! I didn’t meant to exclude you. Until Substack fixes this, I’m going to make sure everyone gets every post.
Still, if you can and want to support this ‘stack, I’d be happy if you subscribed. Also, hitting the like button and sharing the post helps the algorithm, and they don’t cost anything.
Reading 1
Sir 2:1-11
My son, when you come to serve the LORD, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity. Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not; thus will you be wise in all your ways. Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient; For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and God will help you; trust in him, and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein.
You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. You who fear the LORD, love him, and your hearts will be enlightened. Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed? Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth.
Ben Sira, remember, is giving advice to his son. I’m sure he’d like his son’s life to be easy—every parent does.
But he doesn’t lie; he tells him that it’s going to get rough. We should see adversity as a test, a way to prove ourselves. Others in the past were tested; we read about them every day. We have to have faith that it’ll turn out in the end, too. Otherwise, why are we doing any of this?
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
They are not put to shame in an evil time;
in days of famine they have plenty.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the LORD loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
These are very upbeat verses from a much more dour psalm. It’s really about the problem of evil: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer?
The answer provided is: it’s temporary. A famine is coming, and the good will have plenty. Their inheritance isn’t temporary, it won’t run out.
God will deliver us in our time of distress. We just don’t know how long that time will be.
Alleluia
Gal 6:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
No matter what else is going on in our lives, we can be proud to be a follower of Christ. It was a crazy thing to brag about crucifixion; it still is, if you think about it in an Earthly way.
Gospel
Mk 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."
Jesus tells the apostles he’s got to be handed over to the government and executed, and their response is… to argue who’s the top apostle? Anytime you’re worried you’re not understanding scripture, remember this passage. These guys spent all day, everyday with Jesus, and they still didn’t get it.
Interestingly, the word Mark uses for “receives” is decomai (δέχομαι). This is a very formal word, beyond just having a guest. It’s more like what we would call “holding a reception,” like you would for a king’s messenger. In ancient times, you were expected to treat a king’s messenger with as much respect as you would a king.
Children were considered the lowest of society, almost sub-human. So, to “receive” a child was a radical command. In what king’s name should they be received?
Why, Jesus’ name, of course! His love encompasses us all, and the reverse is true, as well. The way we treat the least among us, that’s how we’re treating the Lord Jesus, King of the Universe.1
So, even when we’re as confused as the apostles, we know the core of what Jesus asks us to do—treat with respect, dignity, and charity, everyone we encounter, because Jesus loves them as much as He loves us.