Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 26, 2021
At that time, 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.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'”
Reflection
My dad, Jim Greene, was a wonderful father. Since his passing in October of 2020, his wisdom and words seem to pop up even more in my conversations and my prayer. Today’s gospel led me to recall a hallmark of my dad’s parenting—his famous “come to Jesus” talks. My siblings and I fondly recall how Dad would take intentional time with each of us and lovingly but directly encourage us to make necessary changes. Thanks to Dad, we were often pressed to examine relationships, habits, and attitudes that were holding us back from becoming the best versions of ourselves, or from as he’d say, “doing God’s work.”
My heart goes out to the Apostle John in this gospel, for I know what it’s like to go to a beloved authority figure with an issue, to have my assumptions turned upside down, and to leave with a sense of how I need to grow. My “come to Jesus” moments with my Dad were unforgettable and sometimes a bit uncomfortable, but they always made me a better person and disciple.
Jesus challenges us with his words today, reminding us that the power and providence of God transcend any limits we might wish to impose on them. Jesus also invites us to look carefully at our lives and to excise anything that draws us away from a right relationship with God and neighbor.
May we have the courage to do this hard work, and as we do, may we come more closely to Jesus.
Prayer
Christ Teacher, you invite us to give our whole selves to you, not holding any part back. Give us the grace to remove anything in our lives that holds us back from giving ourselves to you in trust and love. Help us overcome the obstacles to grace that exist within and around us, that we might be wholly one with you. And help us to support and encourage others as they seek to follow you more fully. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Cosmas and Damian are twin brothers known as the “moneyless ones” because they practiced medicine as a service to humanity, and did not ask for compensation.
They were born in third-century Arabia and were trained in science and medicine in Syria. As Christians, they believed that healing the body was a work of charity. Their example of goodness and their service to the sick brought many people to Christ.
They were known as good and faithful men, and it was impossible for them to hide when Christians faced persecution. They were arrested and beheaded for their faith around the year 283. Miracles of healing were attributed to them after their death, sometimes with the brothers appearing to people suffering from illness and curing them.
Along with St. Luke, these brothers are patrons of doctors and surgeons. They are also patrons of pharmacists, those who work in the chemical industry, people suffering from blindness, and against disease.
St. Damian is depicted in these stained glass windows from the Basilica, where he holds a bottle of medicine. Relics of both brothers rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
Sts. Cosmas and Damian, you were the twin brothers who brought people to Christ by caring for their health—pray for us!