8th Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - The last shall be first

 

In the ancient world, wealth, power, and privilege were considered signs of blessing from God. But the Lord gives a contrary teaching. 

“Many that are first will be last, and the last will be first". Here Jesus reverses the expectation of the worldly minded.  

Greatness in the kingdom of God comes not from power, but humility, not from wealth, but generosity, not in gaining possessions, but in giving oneself away. 

And to the extent that we give ourselves away in loving service—we will find meaning, happiness, fulfillment, and joy that nothing else in the world can give. It is by giving ourselves away—giving of our time, talent and resources, that we store up treasure in heaven.

In yesterday’s Gospel passage from St. Mark, we heard of the rich man who goes away sad after his encounter with Jesus. He had asked the Lord what it takes to inherit eternal life, and the Lord instructed the rich man to go and sell his possessions and follow him.

Due to his unwillingness to detach from his possessions, the rich man departs from Jesus, not with the joy of discipleship, but with sadness. There is always sadness when we are unwilling to follow where Jesus beckons, to give-up with God invites us to give-up!

Jesus is the model and master of self-giving. He doesn’t just tell us the way to heaven, he shows us the way through his self-emptying, his self-giving, his total donation of himself to the Father.

May we seek that holiness of life shown to us by Our Lord, and thus come to share with him in the joys of heaven for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That Christians may respond generously to the perpetual call to holiness through prayer, fasting, and works of charity. 

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept safe from the errors of our culture and kept in close friendship with Jesus through prayer and acts of mercy.

That during this month of May, all people may turn their hearts to the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking her aid and imploring her intercession with increased and fervent devotion, imitating her example of Faith, Hope, and Love.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord