26th Week in Ordinary Time
Wenceslaus

1st Reading: Zec 8:1–8
Gospel: Lk 9:46–50
One day the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most important. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he took a little child and stood him by his side. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.”
Then John spoke up, “Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon your name, and we tried to forbid him because he doesn’t follow you with us.” But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him. He who is not against you is for you.”

Commentary
Through messages and visions God encouraged His people to repent of their evil, to be faithful and obey Him, because He had a restored, central future for Jerusalem among the nations, with Him dwelling there. He called the people in Jerusalem to repent, in order that they would not be judged as their ancestors were for disobeying His word. When it became a city of truth and a mountain of holiness, Jerusalem was peaceable and prosperous, enjoying a state of great outward calm, attended with plenty, temperance and contentment.
The Israelites were brought together from all over the known world. God would never leave nor forsake them, since He had promised them never to do so. His promises were partly fulfilled in the Jewish people, between the captivity and the time of Christ’s coming. But now, the full weight of His promises applies to our future and the future of our Christian Church. For us alone, this is impossible; but with God all things are possible, just because God’s thoughts and ways are way above ours. May we labor in love and be strong. May we serve Christ, assured that, because of Him, our labor shall never be in vain.

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