Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 29 September 2024
First Reading: Numbers 11: 25-29
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did so no more. (25)
In the earlier verses Num 1:1-11, there is a description of how the Israelites complained about the manna and remembered Egypt where they had eaten meat and fish. Moses tells God about the burden of the complaining of the Israelites and the Lord listens to his prayer. He tells Moses to select seventy elders as representatives of God to share the burden with Moses.
Let us learn from this passage to remain grateful to God for the gifts he has bestowed on us. Let us rejoice with the manna only HE provides and not yearn for the deceptive pleasures of the world. Let us also recognize the persons in our lives; whom God has placed to share our burdens, and we thank the Lord for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 10, 12-14
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; (8)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (14)
Amen, Alleluia!
Second Reading: James 5: 1-6
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have killed the righteous man; he does not resist you. (5-6)
St. James warns us today about the ills of amassing treasures through injustice to others. Let us examine ourselves and realize our mistakes. If we are guilty of being unjust in any way, let us repent, confess to the Lord, and commit to living justly in the sight of God Our Lord. We pray to St. James for this our petition.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: John 17: 17
“Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.”
Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48
“For he that is not against us is for us.” (40)
“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” (47-48)
Today, Jesus’ words seem to echo the same message as Moses’ when there were two others who had been given the Spirit of the Lord. (Num. 11:29) We ask the Lord to let us discern whom HE has sent to be for us! Amen.
We also ask the Lord God to grant us the grace to pluck out the eye, stop the hand, or block the foot that causes us to sin. Let us also beware of causing others to fall into sin. Let us be vigilant of what we watch, how our hands work, and where our feet run. We ask the intercession of Our Mother Mary and St. Padre Pio to help us live in the light of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
