Be Sincere & Humble
Through both His words and works,
Christ proclaims His true identity
to the disciples and the multitudes.
At first even His companions are
perplexed by His power & authority,
wondering: What manner of man
is this, that even the wind and
the sea obey Him. But patiently –
through the miracles of exorcism,
healing and even raising the dead
the Master Servant works to
convince His followers of the
nature of His person and mission.
Lord, we aim to Be Sincere & Humble:
Then the Pharisees… asked Him: Why
do your disciples not walk according to
the tradition… but eat with unwashed
hands? He answered: Well did Isaiah
prophesy of you Hypocrites: These
people honour me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me (Mk 7:5-6)
You are not defiled by what u eat;
you are defiled by what you say & do!
It is the thought-life that defiles you.
For from Within, out of a person’s
heart, come evil thoughts… greed,
wickedness, deceit… slander, pride…
All these vile things come from within;
they are what defile you and made
you unacceptable to God (v15-23).
A woman whose young daughter had
an unclean spirit came… Jesus said:
Let the children be filled first, for it is
not good to take the children’s bread
and throw it to the little dogs. And she
answered; Even the little dogs eat from
the children’s crumbs. Then He said:
Go your way; the demon has gone
out of your daughter (v25-29).
Lord, we see in Mark gospel, Your
ministry of power and authority
and yet with a servant mindset.
Help us Lord beware of traditions
that can clutter up our minds
and crowd out important things.
Lift us out of mere tradition into
the freedom and life of Your Spirit.
Help us Lord to focus on those
things that You value dearly. Amen
Lord, create a pure heart in me
and put a loyal spirit within me.
Give me a heart that is in tune
with You so that love motivates
daily decisions and behaviour.
Help me pay attention to Inner Life
and be transformed into Your image.
Help me think about what is true,
right, pure and lovely. Amen.
Lord, help us learn from the Greek
woman to have the right attitude
in approaching You with Humility
not asking for rights but mercy.
Help us Lord to have Persistence
of pushing through all barriers,
thus showing her Sincere Faith.
Help us not focus on ourselves,
our problems but solely on You.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.