Numbers 12:13, Sirach 17:1-15, Mark 10:13-16, Psalm 103:13-18

Daily Mass Readings:   Sirach 17:1-15, Mark 10:13-16, Psalm 103:13-18

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Numbers 12:13

 Then Moses cried to Yahweh, " Heal her O God, I beg You."

Beloved, we are all to pray and intercede for our brothers and sisters.  We have to carry each others burdens.  For those who have strayed we have to beg You to grant them the grace to return.  We have to feel crushing sorrow should one of them suffer the loss of their soul.  We have to pray without ceasing  even if we may not see the results.  Success is not important faithfulness is.

Sirach 1, 3, 6, 8, 12-13, 15
1 The Lord created man from the earth and let him return to earth. 3 He endowed them with a strength like his own, making them in his own image.
6 He endowed them with knowledge; he gave them tongue and eyes, ears and a mind to think with.
8 He put his own eye in their hearts so they would un­derstand the greatness of his works.
13 Human eyes saw the splendor of the Glory of God; their ears heard the grandeur of his voice.
15 Their conduct is always before the Lord; they cannot escape his sight.

Beloved we are created from dust, what makes us special is that God breathed His own life into us and blessed us with intellect and our senses to enjoy the marvels of His gifts to us in creation..  Thank You for the eternal covenant of love with which You bind us to Yourself.  Thank You for the ability to see, hear and touch You with our senses..  Thank You also for reminding us that we are always in Your loving sight.

Mark 10:13-16

13 People were bringing their little children to him to have him touch them, and the disciples rebuked them for this.  14 When Jesus noticed it, he was very angry and said, “Let the children come to me and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and laying his hands on them, blessed them.

Beloved, this is one of the few times in Sacred Scripture where we are told that You were not only angry but You were very angry.   The disciples tried to keep the little ones from You and You would have none of it.

May I always be a little one in Your sight so I can always count on being able to come close to You and nestle against You.

Verse 15 is a good reminder to all those whose head weight  due to their knowledge and worldly wisdom swells them to such an extent, that they think they understand You better than revealed truth through which we see You as You are.  They try to box You into an image of You that suits them for then they do not need to be challenged by the unchangeable truth.

Psalm 103: 13-14, 17

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him.

14 For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Fear of the Lord is a good, healthy, positive thing my Beloved as Scripture shows us in verse after verse and yet there are those to whom the word 'fear' is outrageous and unthinkable when they speak of You.  They would rather change the word from fear to love.  Wonder what makes them so fearful of the word 'fear of the Lord?" Your word says, "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10 and Psalm 111: 10 all say the same thing.  So what does it say of those who dislike this word?