Lack of Control
Feb. 26: Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
In some sense, everyone comes to God in a different way, by their own life and circumstances. But in a deeper sense, it’s always the same—we are called by the Word, Jesus. He suits that calling to us, not the other way around.
Reading 1
Sir 4:11-19
Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her. He who loves her loves life; those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord. He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings. Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves.
He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers. If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her. She walks with him as a stranger and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline until she try him by her laws and trust his soul. Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to them and she will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice. But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
This passage describes a kind of rollercoaster relationship. Wisdom doesn’t arrive all at once, as a singular event. We learn and grow, but then we run into set backs—“She puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him.”
Persistence is what’s called for at those times of doubt and confusion.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175
R. (165a) O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
The Wisdom Sirach talks about comes from scriptures. We should hold to those as well as we can, even when we’re confused or don’t understand.
Alleluia
Jn 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
No one can redeem themselves; the price is too high. Only Jesus Christ Himself could pay it. And He did! So it’s through Him we can come to the Father.
Gospel
Mk 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us."
John mistakenly believes that, by accepting Jesus’ call, he should be in charge of who else gets called. Jesus corrects him: “You’re not the arbiter of discipleship, I am.”
Instead of trying to prevent this exorcist from doing God’s work, he should have accepted that very exorcism as proof that this other person is somehow a disciple.