Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 2 Hebrews 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters:

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin. 

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Instead of "confession", other translations use "profession" or "confession of faith."

How do you secure yourself to the faith that you profess?  Do you pray for faith?

From Pope Francis at the Angelus on March 17, 2013

Pope Francis mentioned meeting a very old women at a religious festival while still archbishop of Buenos Aries, Argentina. Francis said he asked her, “‘Grandmother … would you like to make your confession? But, if you have not sinned …’ and she said, ‘we all have sinned.’”

Francis said he replied: “‘If perhaps he should not forgive you?’ and she replied, ‘The Lord forgives everything.’ I asked, ‘How do you know this for sure, madam?’ and she replied, ‘If the Lord hadn’t forgiven all, then the world wouldn’t [still] be here.’ And, I wanted to ask her, ‘Madam, did you study at the Gregorian?’”

The elderly woman showed great wisdom, surely given by the Holy Spirit, Francis continued. “Let us not forget this word: God never tires of forgiving us, but we sometimes tire of asking Him to forgive us.”

“Let us never tire of asking God’s forgiveness,” he said. <http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-preaches-mercy-forgiveness-first-papal-sunday>

Gospel

 In the long version of this reading, James and John have just asked Jesus to sit at His right and left in His glory when this short version starts.

Mark 10:42-45 (Short Form of this reading)

Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,

"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over

Reading 2 Hebrews 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters:

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin. 

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

What is your response to this part of our confession?  Do you go to Jesus and ask for His mercy?

How do you extend this mercy to everyone you meet? 

When do you take the opportunity to serve?

Whom do you serve?  Will you please think of specific people whom you've served?

“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”

 ― Thérèse de Lisieux