Reflection for Friday, 4th week in Ordinary time 

By

 

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Memorial of John De Britto 

Today's verses 

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

 I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.


 Today's Reflection 

If the mighty Apostle Paul was worried about disqualification, should you and I not be ?

Like an Athlete who builds his body to stay qualified, You and I shuld TURN OUR CHURCHES INTO A GYM.

Paul is speaking metaphorically, (So am I).

In fact, Paul is comparing the CHRISTIAN RACE to running in the Olympics.

Does He mean that, not every Christian will make it ?

Or Not every Christian will win the price, except one ?


Of course Paul is not saying that.

His point is that just as runners are motivated, so are we in building the Church and Saving Souls.

Not that 99 will loose and only 1 will win, rather because we’re in this for an ETERNAL CROWN that LASTS FOREVER.


vrs 26 says... Many Christians are running with uncertainty and insecurity. 

Will I make it ? 

Will I finish ? 

NOT PAUL.

He is running with a Clear  and a Certain purpose.


Today’s Gospel Scene is One that has Inspired Artists & Playwrights Over the Centuries. The Sumptuous Banquet in Herod’s Palace for His Birthday turns out 2b a Banquet of Death. 

Mark Follows This Scene with the Feeding by JESUS of the Multitude in the Wilderness. It is as if the Evangelist Wants to Set Herod Banquet of Death Over Against JESUS' Banquet of Life. John the Baptist is Described in the Gospel as a “Good & Holy Man.” He Courageously Spoke GOD'S Truth, GOD'S Way, & That is why He was Beheaded. 

JESUS was Crucified for the Same Reason, because HE Proclaimed GOD'S Ways, GOD'S Purposes, by what HE Said & Did. We are All Called to Proclaim the Ways of GOD as Revealed to Us by JESUS. That will Call for Courage at Times, the Courage Displayed by John the Baptist & JESUS. One of the Traditional 7 Gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT is Courage. 

Today, more than in the Past, We Need a Courageous Faith; We Need the Courage of the HOLY SPIRIT to Witness to the Values of the Gospel, as John & JESUS Did. 

We Pray Today for the Gift of such a Faith, the Kind of Faithfulness that Shaped John’s Life & Death.

Unlike Olympic runners, Our CROWNS are ASSURED. All in Christ win because Christ has already won.

Good Morning

Have a nice day

Pray for all the sick all over the World

Happy feast of St John de Britto