For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, today's reading serves as a gentle reminder as to how I feel when others are doing Good or experiencing praise for their Good work, especially if they are doing it in Your Name. Envy, jealousy and resentment always lead to a lack of joy and sorrow because it really means that I am feeling sorry for myself and my own feelings of lack. If someone is doing Good works, this should make me rejoice, not thrust me into sadness. That doesn't even make sense. That just goes to show how easy it is to turn others joy into my lack. The only reason why I would feel so bad over someone else's Good is because I would have to think it lessened my own value or ability to do Good. I would have to actually believe that someone's Goodness diminshed or devalued me in some way. Talk about taking things personal or losing perspective! It is baffling how I can make something about myself when it is not. If someone is doing such Good work, then it has to come from You, through them. How could I even hope to or want to squash this Goodness? Father, thank You for being so patient with me, even when I least deserve it.
Jealousy and envy are the opposite of Love. Anytime I experience these feelings, then I need to understand that I am feeling a lack of Love from others or for myself. This is when I need to go straight to You because I know that You Love me no matter what. Heck, You know everything about me and Love me anyway. You are a Sure Thing! I wish I could say the same for myself dear Father and as You know, I am a work in progress. Thank You for this awareness of myself. Your Love is what will always free me from the ties that I allow to bind me, which are envy and jealousy. Thank You for Loving me!
Through Jesus Christ's Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face. ~Amen
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us."
39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon after to speak evil of Me.
40 For he that is not against us is for us.
41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward.
42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.
47 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,
48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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