Luke 9:46-50

Job 1:6-22

Psalm 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7

Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples

about which of them was the greatest.

Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child

and placed it by his side and said to them,

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,

and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

For the one who is least among all of you

is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John said in reply,

“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name

and we tried to prevent him

because he does not follow in our company.”

Jesus said to him,

“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I choose to be on your side today. I will follow the way of humility that your Son has marked out. I will receive those in need and give of myself. I will truly love and seek the true good of those around me.

Encountering the Word of God

1. True Greatness: In her Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), Mary spoke about the humbling of the prideful and the exaltation of the lowly. In the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49), Jesus spoke about how the poor, the hungry, those who mourn, and those who are hated on account of him are blessed. The argument in today’s Gospel about who is the greatest among the disciples shows that they have not learned the lesson about what true greatness consists in. Once again, Jesus had to teach them the way of humility. Jesus offered the example of welcoming a child. When you receive a child, you receive someone who has many needs. A child is not independent or self-sufficient and needs food, clothing, shelter, attention, education, discipline, love, and many other things. Receiving a child in Jesus’ name means giving of yourself, your time, and your treasure, without expecting anything in return or repayment. “The one who receives such lowly and weak members of society receives Jesus and the Father who sent him. Moreover, becoming the least through service of others is the true indicator of who is greatest (22:26-27)” (Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke, 190).

2. In the Company of Jesus: On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus’ disciples need more formation to understand the way of discipleship and to be equipped for their mission. “This will be one of Jesus’ principal tasks during the long journey to Jerusalem” (Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke, 191). During the upcoming month of October, the daily Gospel will be taken from Luke’s account of the journey. We, like the disciples, will be given the keys to discipleship and be equipped for our mission. Jesus will instruct us on prayer (Luke 11:1-13), on not being afraid or worried (12:1-12, 22-34), on being vigilant (12:35-48), on faith (17:5-6), and on accepting the kingdom like children (18:15-17). He will speak to us on the radical commitment involved in being his disciple (14:26-27, 33). We will hear the parables of the good Samaritan (10:29-37), the rich fool (12:16-21), the prodigal son (15:11-32), the dishonest steward (16:1-8), the rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31), the persistent widow (18:1-8), and the Pharisee and the tax collector (18:9-14) (see Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke, 193-194).

3. The Book of Job: All this week, the First Reading will be taken from the Book of Job. The main question in the book is: Why do the righteous and the innocent suffer? “The Book of Job wrestles with some of life’s biggest questions. Most concern what it means to serve God, to suffer in God’s presence, and to surrender ourselves to God, even when we do not have all the answers” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Job, 14). The book opens by presenting Job as a righteous man. It is not Satan who points out Job’s righteousness to God, but God who points out Job’s righteousness to Satan. The book shows that Satan is incapable of truly understanding Job’s righteousness. Satan thinks that it is only because Job has wealth and health that he strives to be in a right relationship with God. Satan “accuses Job of selfish interests, insinuating that he serves God merely for the worldly benefits of peace and prosperity that he receives in return (1:9-11)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Job, 14). As the story of Job unfolds and Job loses his family, his flocks, and his health, we will see whether Job passes the trial of his faith. “Can he live as a righteous man without thought of temporal reward? Or will suffering and deprivation harden his heart and turn him against God?” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Job, 14). 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, bring me along the journey to Jerusalem. I want to hear and welcome your word along the way. Teach me how to be a true disciple of yours. Empowered by your grace, I promise to conform my life to your Gospel.

Living the Word of God: How has my faith been tested? How have I fared through suffering and loss? Have I blamed God when suffering and trials come my way? Or have I welcomed them in faith and trust?