Wednesday, May 27, 2026

† ". Whoever wishes to be first ... "

†

Saint Quote:

“Be brave and try to detach your heart from worldly things. Do your utmost to banish darkness from your mind and come to understand what true, selfless piety is. Through confession, endeavor to purify your heart of anything which may still taint it. Enliven your faith, which is essential to understand and achieve piety.” -St. John Bosco

Today’s Meditation

"Walking by faith, let us do good works. In these let there be a free love of God for His own sake and an active love for our neighbor. For there is nothing we can do for God. But because we have something we can do for our neighbor, we shall by our good offices to the needy gain the favor of Him Who is the source of all abundance. Let us then do what we can for others; let us freely bestow upon the needy out of our abundance." —St. Augustine, p. 144
An excerpt from Augustine Day by Day

Daily Verse

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. -Isaiah 25:1

EWTN Daily Saint

St Augustine Of Canterbury

St. Augustine of Canterbury (d. 604 A.D.), also known as St. Austin, was prior of a monastery in Rome before being called by Pope Gregory the Great to be a missionary to the British Isles. The Pope received word that the pagans of Britain would embrace the faith in great numbers if priests were sent to teach them, and previous missionaries had been unsuccessful in the holy endeavor. In order to realize the Holy Father's desire to evangelize the island, Augustine set out on a new quest at the head of forty monks in 596 A.D. When they arrived in France they heard stories of the ferocity of the Anglo-Saxons. Out of fear, Augustine returned to Rome and asked the Pope to release him from the mission. Pope Gregory encouraged Augustine in his task and sent him back. When the monks landed in Kent they were treated kindly. The King of Kent himself accepted baptism and set up a residence for St. Augustine in Canterbury. There Augustine established a church and monastery as the center of his apostolic mission. Although his labor among the pagans was slow and difficult, his work bore much fruit and England eventually became a Christian nation. Augustine was the first Archbishop of Canterbury, England, and is known as the "Apostle of England." His feast day is May 27th.

Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 349

Reading 1

1 Peter 1:18-25

Beloved:

Realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,

handed on by your ancestors,

not with perishable things like silver or gold

but with the precious Blood of Christ

as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world

but revealed in the final time for you,

who through him believe in God

who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,

so that your faith and hope are in God.

Since you have purified yourselves

by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love,

love one another intensely from a pure heart.

You have been born anew,

not from perishable but from imperishable seed,

through the living and abiding word of God, for:

"All flesh is like grass,

and all its glory like the flower of the field;

the grass withers,

and the flower wilts;

but the word of the Lord remains forever."

This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;

praise your God, O Zion.

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;

he has blessed your children within you.

R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or:

R. Alleluia.

He has granted peace in your borders;

with the best of wheat he fills you.

He sends forth his command to the earth;

swiftly runs his word!

R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or:

R. Alleluia.

He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,

his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.

He has not done thus for any other nation;

his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.

R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia

Mark 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Son of Man came to serve,

and to give his life as a ransom for many.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 10:32-45

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem,

and Jesus went ahead of them.

They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.

Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them

what was going to happen to him.

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man

will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes,

and they will condemn him to death

and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him,

spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death,

but after three days he will rise."

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee,

came to Jesus and said to him,

"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."

He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"

They answered him,

"Grant that in your glory

we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."

Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.

Can you drink the chalice that I drink

or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

They said to him, "We can."

Jesus said to them, "The chalice that I drink, you will drink,

and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;

but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give

but is for those for whom it has been prepared."

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.

Jesus summoned them and said to them,

"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles

lord it over them,

and their great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ!

From Word Among Us WAU.org

Daily Meditation: Mark 10:32-45

Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant. (Mark 10:43)

It seems that James and John could use a lesson in manners! They come off as insensitive and entitled when they ask to be seated next to Jesus when he comes into his “glory” (Mark 10:33). What’s more, they even make their request on the heels of Jesus predicting his suffering and death!

But before we judge these brothers too harshly, let’s think about ourselves. Chances are, we’ve all started many a prayer time with a wish list that reflects their words: “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” (Mark 10:35).

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with asking for what we want (Mark 11:24). But throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes it clear that being his follower also means being ready to serve other people. It means putting aside our selfish desires and our tendency to put our interests before the interests of others and asking the Lord how he wants us to give of ourselves. And that’s what James and John ended up doing after Jesus’ resurrection: they dedicated their whole lives to proclaiming the gospel and building up the Church.

At first glance, being a “servant” doesn’t usually seem appealing. It’s only when we remember how much Jesus loves us that our hearts begin to soften. It’s as we recall that we were created to give him glory by reflecting his own generosity and kindness. The simple truth is that the more we give of ourselves, the more Christlike we become. We grow in holiness. We become more peaceful, more contented, and even more joyful!

Probably the best way to look at our call to serve is to look at Jesus. He is the perfect model of what a life of service looks like. We can ask him, “How can I serve you today, Lord?” If the opportunities before you seem mundane—like making a meal for your family or taking an elderly parent to a doctor’s appointment—remember Jesus’ great promise: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Every opportunity to care for someone else is another opportunity to meet Jesus!

“Lord, help me desire to serve you and your people above all else!”

1 Peter 1:18-25

Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

Reflections with Brother Adrian:

Audio of 2 Cents

From today's Holy Gospel:

"...... Jesus summoned them and said to them,

"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles

lord it over them,

and their great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many." ..... ”

From Roberto Juarez:

"This gospel also warns us against a superficial faith. We can want a Christianity without sacrifice, without surrender, without renunciation, without the cross. But there is no discipleship without service. The decisive question is not, "What position do I hold?" but, "Who am I serving?" Because at the end of life, God will not ask us how much power we had, but how much we love.
Today Jesus invites us to convert our understanding of greatness. In a world obsessed with excelling, the Gospel proposes to us the humble way of service. Let us ask the Lord for a simple heart, the ability to serve without seeking recognition, freedom from pride, generosity to give ourselves to others. And may we learn from Christ, the true Teacher, who reigned from the cross and showed that humble love is the greatest force in the world." end quote.

Bishop Barron said: "So what’s the way out? “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.” When you serve others, you are accessing the power of God and seeking the honor of God. " end quote.

All the way to the cross, there is suffering in the Passion of our Lord. Our Lord is called "The Suffering Servant". And, we are called to be the Christ in the world. Savior? Sure. How? Simple. Give your life to God as Christ did. Otherwise, you are giving your life to someone or some thing else. Amen?

I will leave you with tidbits with Ai on the roots of the suffering servant:

"# The Suffering Servant in Catholic Theology

Overview

▪	The “Suffering Servant” is a figure described in four Servant Songs in Isaiah:

▪	Isaiah 42:1–4

▪	Isaiah 49:1–6

▪	Isaiah 50:4–11

▪	Isaiah 52:13–53:12

▪	The Catholic Church teaches that these prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus Christ through:

▪	His Passion

▪

Death

* Resurrection

1. Prophecy of Jesus Christ

Fulfillment in Jesus

Catholics believe the Suffering Servant passages point directly to Jesus.

The Silent Lamb

▪	Isaiah describes the Servant as:

▪	“A lamb led to the slaughter”

▪	Silent before his accusers

▪	Jesus fulfilled this during His trials before:

▪	Jewish leaders

▪	Pontius Pilate

Vicarious Suffering

▪	The Servant suffers for the sins of others.

▪	Jesus was innocent but willingly suffered for humanity’s sins.

▪	This is called:

▪	Substitutionary atonement

Rejection and Abuse

▪	Isaiah foretold:

▪

Spitting

▪

Mockery

▪	Physical abuse

▪	Jesus endured these during His Passion.

2. Redemptive Suffering

Meaning

▪	Jesus transformed suffering into a path toward salvation.

▪	Isaiah says:

▪	“Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many.”

Catholic Teaching

▪	Catholics unite their suffering with Christ’s suffering.

▪	Hardships can be offered:

▪

In love

▪

In prayer

▪	For others

Purpose

▪	Participation in Christ’s redemptive work Spiritual growth and intercession for the world

▪	Spiritual growth and intercession for the world

3. Mission of the Servant

Bring Justice

▪	The Servant brings justice with:

▪	Gentleness

▪

Mercy

▪

Peace

▪	“A bruised reed he shall not break.”

Light to the Nations

▪	The Servant brings God’s salvation to all people. Jesus fulfills this mission for the whole world.

▪	Jesus fulfills this mission for the whole world.

4. Historical and Spiritual Fulfillment

Historical Context

▪	Originally, the “Servant” may have referred to:

▪	The nation of Israel

▪	Especially during the Babylonian Exile

Fuller Spiritual Meaning

▪	Catholic teaching says the prophecy has a deeper fulfillment in Christ.

▪	Jesus is seen as:

▪	The “true Israel”

* The perfect and faithful Servant

Main Takeaway

▪	The Suffering Servant prophecies in Isaiah are understood by Catholics as a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ.

▪	Through His suffering, death, and resurrection:

▪	Jesus brings salvation

▪	Reveals God’s love

▪	Gives meaning to human suffering

In Him, we find everything. The meaning of life. The meaning of suffering. The meaning of evil. The meaning of God's will. The meaning of what is truly Good in God's eyes.
May we pray for this grace and strength to do what very few want to do...and actually do...God's will, in becoming Holy Saints. Perfect, as our Father is perfect.

Click to hear

Random Bible Verse 1
Hebrews 12:3

[Hebrews 12]
Do Not Grow Weary

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

Word of the Lord!

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God Bless You! Peace

Going4th

For questions or comments contact Adrian@going4th.com. For more go to www.Going4th.com

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