September 27th 2009 A.D.
26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

September Homilies:  6th  |  13th  |  20th  | 27th

Background:

 Even Jesus’ closest followers did not get it. They expect a political messiah. Jesus was clearly a messiah. Therefore his goals had to be political. They were his followers, so when he reestablished the kingdom of David or the Machabees, they would be men with enormous power. Nothing Jesus would say could change their opinions, not even his stories about the great love of the father in heaven for everyone. Who would be first? Peter? James? John? Jesus must have known that in the centuries to come similar arguments would beset it. Many of the apostles successors didn’t get it either.

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 Once there was a great high school volley ball team. The young women just destroyed all their opponents. The news papers wrote great stories about how good they were and now they always played as a team and how their were no rivalries among them. The kids took it very seriously. We’re great they kept saying, but we’re great as a team. HOWEVER, each  one began to think they were the best and that the others were hangers on. Then they stopped talking to one another. Still they kept winning and the media kept saying what a great TEAM they were. Well they were until the championship game. Then each young woman thought that all the others were hot dogging and they became very angry. Their opponent destroyed them. Each one was still convinced she’d make all state. Who did? You know the answer – None of them.

Psalm 19:8-14

8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;  the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever;  the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;  sweeter also than honey  and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!  Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

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