Gospel of the day with comment: February 25, 2020

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark 9,30-37.
At that time, Jesus and his disciples crossed Galilee, but he did not want anyone to know.
In fact he instructed his disciples and said to them: «The Son of man is about to be delivered into the hands of men and they will kill him; but once killed, after three days, he will rise again ».
However, they did not understand these words and were afraid to ask him for explanations.
Meanwhile they reached Capernaum. And when he was at home, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"
And they were silent. In fact, on the way they had discussed among themselves who was the greatest.
Then, sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be the first, be the least of all and the servant of all."
And, taking a child, he placed him in the middle and embracing him he said to them:
"Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me. "

Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)
Carmelite, doctor of the Church

Prayer 20
«If one wants to be the first, be the least of all and the servant of all»
Jesus! (...) Such is your humility, O divine King of Glory, to submit to all your priests without making any distinction between those who love you and those who are, unfortunately, lukewarm or cold in your service. At their call, come down from heaven; even if they anticipate or postpone the hour of the holy sacrifice, you are always ready. O my Beloved, under the veil of the white host, how mild and humble of heart you appear to me! (Mt 11, 29) To teach me humility, you cannot lower yourself more; therefore I want, to answer your love, to want my sisters to always put me in the last place, and to be well persuaded that this place is mine. (...)

I know, O my God, that you lower your proud soul; to the one who humbles herself, give an eternity of glory; I therefore want to put myself in the last place, to share your humiliations to "have a part with you" (Jn 13: 8) in the kingdom of Heaven.

Lord, you know my weakness; every morning I take the resolution to practice humility and, in the evening, I recognize that I have still committed many shortcomings, because of my pride. For this, I am tempted to be discouraged, but, I know, discouragement is also pride. Therefore, in you alone I want to found my hope. Since you can do anything, deign to give birth to that virtue that I desire in my soul. To obtain this grace from your infinite mercy, I will repeat to you very often: «O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart similar to yours! »