Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – James 4:1-10: Strife stems from personal desires. Aligning with worldly values opposes God. Humility invites God’s grace; repentance leads to elevation by God.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 55: I long for peace and escape from strife, trusting that the Lord will sustain and protect me from disturbance.
• Gospel – Mark 9:30-37: Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from serving others and being humble, illustrated by welcoming a child as one would welcome Him and His Father.

Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.

Mark 9:37

In Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the Mass readings offer lessons about our inner life and how we treat others. These messages help us grow in faith and service.

• Struggle with desires: The reading from James tells us that our fights and arguments come from our own desires. When we want things too much, it causes trouble.
• Opposing God’s way: James warns that being friends with the world can make us enemies of God. We should avoid following the world’s values that go against God’s ways.
• Need for humility: Humility is important as James advises us to submit to God and resist evil. Being humble helps us receive God’s grace.
• Repentance is uplifting: James also speaks about repenting and cleaning our hearts. When we do so, God lifts us up and makes us better.
• True greatness in service: In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that being great means serving others, not seeking power or position.
• Welcoming the least: Jesus shows greatness through welcoming a child. This teaches us that welcoming the least among us is like welcoming God Himself.

These readings for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to focus on living in ways that bring us closer to God and improve how we treat those around us. They encourage us to check our desires, practice humility, and serve others with a welcoming heart.

The readings for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invite us to reflect on humility, service, and our relationship with the world. They challenge us to turn away from selfish desires, embrace a spirit of repentance, and seek greatness through serving others. These themes help us align our hearts with God’s will and grow in His grace.

Humility and Submission to God

The first reading for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us of the importance of humility. James shows us how pride can lead to conflict and distance us from God. When we think only of ourselves or our desires, we often find ourselves at odds with others. This pride can blind us to the good that God wants to bring into our lives.

Humility is not about lowering our value or feeling unworthy. It is about recognizing that we need God’s help and that others also have value. When we are humble, we stop putting ourselves first and open ourselves to God’s guidance. This allows His grace to work in us.

Submitting to God means trusting Him more than our own plans. It means admitting when we are wrong and asking for His forgiveness. When we take this path, God is ready to lift us up and guide us to a better way of living.

True Greatness in Serving Others

The Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teaches a lesson about greatness. Jesus tells His disciples that greatness isn’t about status, power, or being first. It is about serving others, especially those who are often ignored or forgotten.

Jesus uses a child as an example. In His time, children had little status or importance. By welcoming a child, the disciples would show their willingness to care for those who cannot repay them. In doing this, they would welcome Jesus Himself. This shows that serving others is a way of honoring God.

Service doesn’t always look big or impressive. Sometimes it’s as simple as listening to someone, offering help, or being kind. Through these acts, we show others God’s love. This kind of greatness brings us closer to the life God wants us to live.

Trusting God Above the World’s Values

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show the struggle between following God and following the world. James warns about becoming too attached to worldly desires, which can lead to arguments and strife. Jesus points to serving others as the better way, rather than seeking status or importance.

The world often tells us to focus on wealth, power, or approval. But these things don’t bring us closer to God. When we chase them, we risk losing sight of what really matters. Choosing God means putting Him first and trusting His plan for us.

Turning away from the world’s values doesn’t mean rejecting everything. It means looking at our actions and desires and asking if they align with God’s will. When we live with this awareness, we can experience true peace and freedom, knowing we are following the path He wants for us.

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Living out these teachings is not always easy, but God provides us with the strength to choose His way over the world’s temptations. By focusing on humility, service, and trust in Him, we can experience the peace that comes from walking closely with God.

Prayer

Lord, help us to choose Your way over the world’s distractions. Teach us to be humble, serve others with love, and turn away from sin. Give us the strength to follow You, and guide us to live in a way that reflects Your goodness to those around us. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• In what areas of your life do you need to let go of pride and embrace humility?
• How can you serve others more fully, especially those who are often overlooked?
• What worldly desires or values might be pulling you away from God’s will?
• How can repentance bring you closer to the life God wants for you?

USCCB Reflection: Jesus Teaches Humility

In the USCCB video reflection for the Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus tells his apostles about his coming suffering and death. They don’t understand and argue about who is the greatest. Jesus responds by showing them a child, saying they must be like children to truly follow him. A child represents humility and sincerity. This lesson teaches that true greatness comes from humility and selfless love, not from seeking status or power.

What date is Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Tuesday February 26, 2030.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Tuesday February 26, 2030 are:
First Reading  – James 4:1-10: Choosing Humility Over the World
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 55: Finding Refuge in the Lord
Gospel – Mark 9:30-37: Teachings on Humility and Greatness

What does it mean that strife stems from personal desires in James 4?

In the readings for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, James says our fights come from our wants. We argue because we desire things that might not be good for us or others.

How can aligning with worldly values oppose God?

When we care too much about what the world thinks or offers, we might ignore what God wants. This can make us stray from God’s path.

What does ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’ mean?

This means that God does not support those who are full of themselves. But, He helps those who know their weaknesses and ask for His help.

How can we practice humility according to James 4?

We can practice humility by admitting our faults, asking God for guidance, and not thinking we are better than others.

What is repentance and why is it important?

Repentance means saying sorry to God for our wrongs and choosing to do better. It’s important because it cleans our hearts and helps us live better lives.

How does Jesus define greatness in Mark 9?

In the readings for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus says greatness comes from serving and caring for others, not from being powerful.

What lesson do we learn from Jesus welcoming a child?

We learn that we should treat everyone with kindness, even those who seem unimportant, because this is how we welcome Jesus and God.

How can we apply these teachings to our daily lives?

We can be mindful of our desires, choose to follow God’s values, serve others, and welcome everyone with respect and kindness.