Today’s the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Find the Mass Readings here: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 21, 2018.

I’ve been super busy with a crawling baby, the new responsibility of teaching Religious Ed class, and an upcoming deadline for an exciting project I can’t wait to tell you about! So, I’ve been very inconsistent in my blogging and even in this linkup.

But! I managed to pull myself together this weekend. I hope you enjoy my reflection on today’s Mass readings, and the reflections from my blogging friends!

And, I’d love to hear your thoughts, too.

My takeaway:

Sons of Thunda, just putting it all out there.

They’ve got some guts, seriously guys. It’s good to know the 12 Apostles were just human too, right? They had their own strengths and weaknesses and they screwed up royally sometimes.

But they were still Jesus’s beloved friends. That gives me hope.

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TFW then the sun comes out just as you snap a selfie 😂 Anywho, on to #MyMassTakeaway. James and John, those sons of Thunda. Of course they were the ones with the audacity to approach Jesus with such bold demands: "We wanna be the top dogs in your kingdom." Jesus tries to warn them that they don't what they're getting themselves into. He asks if they can handle the suffering that comes with the job. Can you drink that cup? "Yeah, sure we can!" I mean, they can't back down now. There's no room in their attitude for weakness or self doubt. Can't risk looking silly in frony of their pals, so they've gotta be all in. Tough guys. Fast forward to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He's not asking to be first. He's not looking for his own advancement. He only wants to serve and save. He sees the suffering coming his way. But he's not proud, he's not trying to look cool. He gives an honest reaction: "Let this cup pass from me." Even then, he puts others before himself: "Thy will be done," and accepts his cross for our sake. James and John were so far off Jesus. They had a lot to learn and a long way to grow. But they're still two great saints. I'm shooting to be like Jesus but I'm more often a "daughter of Thunder." I jump in full speed, wanting to do great things and making audacious demands of Jesus. I think I can handle it all, but I have no idea what's coming my way. It's okay that I have a lot of work to do on myself and a long way to go. I'll just keep plugging along, looking to Jesus, trying to be more like him. I'll try to be humble and serve others. I'll drink the cup he gives me and trust him to take care of the rest.

A post shared by Sara Estabrooks (@tojesussincerely) on Oct 21, 2018 at 3:23pm PDT

 

Featured 5 Takeaways:

@mary_haseltine

Praying for a servant’s heart today!

I love love LOVE how Mary puts a quote on her chalkboard to reflect on all week. An inspiring practice!

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Family life, Church life, all life. It’s startling to realize that the devil’s cry was “I will not serve.” How often do I echo that? Or how often do I still do the serving in practice but with grumbling and frustration and an argument in my head and heart of how unfair it all is and THEY NEED TO LEARN, DARN IT. How often am I like James and John telling God that I want Him to do whatever I ask but then balking when He asks me to serve in even the smallest ways? Lord, You have the ultimate servant’s heart. Please make my heart like unto Thine. . 🖤 . #serviam #sundayscripturesnapshots #sundayMass #catholic #sundayreadings #mymasstakeaway #scripture #bissisterhood

A post shared by Mary Haseltine (@mary_haseltine) on Oct 21, 2018 at 2:58pm PDT

@catholicwifecatholiclife

I love how Annie calls us to reflect on how we would respond to the challenge: “Can you drink the cup?”

We shouldn’t answer flippantly. We need serious reflection and prayer. We need understanding, and most of all, trust in God.

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So many thoughts from today's Mass readings & homily…⁣ Our priest shared that we often think of God as having all of the answers, but we have to remember that He also has questions — questions for us, like, "Can you drink the cup that I drink?" ⁣ ⁣ And what would my answer be?⁣ ⁣ Our priest explained that we need to do a few things to be able to drink the cup God gives us… We have to honestly look at our lives, take ownership and responsibility, and then drink (and trust God). I've been working on that very last step (for a while now). 😉 ⁣ Our priest also shared about people who drink the cup gladly and gratefully (and not resentfully). Such a big effort on its own. ⁣ ⁣ Is it faith that removes resentment? Is it love? I pray for more of both. ⁣ ⁣ (And He's been providing. All along, He's been providing). ⁣ ⁣ #mymasstakeaway

A post shared by Annie Deddens (@catholicwifecatholiclife) on Oct 21, 2018 at 12:24pm PDT

@prayerwinechocolate

I just love Amy.

More serving, less complaining. I need that, too.

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Suffering, I don't do it well. As the gospel was read and I heard Jesus asking James and John if they were willing to drink the cup He would drink, my arm hurt. My left arm is still healing and I was holding my 30 lb daughter. I shifted and tried to make it hurt less and realized my spiritual weakness. Such a minor pain and I still just want it to be gone immediately. I remember trying to bargain with God in the summer…wondering if I could offer up that headache I had the other night and please just not feel any pain in the present moment. #mymasstakeaway to intentionally complain less and serve more. Serve when it seems unfair. Serve instead complaining. Serve for Christ. #serve #beaChristian #Catholicsonline #thankyouJesus

A post shared by Amy@ PrayerWineChocolate (@prayerwinechocolate) on Oct 21, 2018 at 11:38am PDT

@catholicetiquette

Nicole had me cracking up, but at the same time saying: it me.

If this isn’t exactly how I pray: “Hi, um, Jesus? I’d like you to do this thing for me which I’m asking and bless it k thanks bye.” Killing me, Nicole!

@catholic_pilgrim79

“I’m a huge follower, a big fan.” This line made me pause. Yep, I do this. I sometimes treat Jesus like my fave celebrity. Sure, I follow him. I study him. Read all those Gospel stories.

But I need to actually follow him. Love him, trust him, listen to him. Take up my cross. and learn to sacrifice.

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“Oh hi, Jesus. So, uh, I’ve got a few things, just a small amount of things, I need to go over with you.” ✝️ “Yes.” ✝️ “So, I want you to do for me whatever I ask of you.’” (Rolls out list) I need notoriety, prestige, and money would be nice. If you could make my spouse perfect, too, that’d be great.” ✝️ “You do not know what you are asking.”✝️ “Oh, but I do! I totally do. I’ve got it all planned out. I’m a huge follower, a big fan, I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a few things. I know what I need.” ✝️ “Whoever wishes to be great among others will be a slave of all.” Mark 10:44 🙏🏻 Lord, this has been my prideful prayer a thousand times. Give me the courage to trust that a life lived for you will be all I ever need. Give me ears to hear Your plan for my life. Strip me of my pride and give me a heart of humility so that I can be ever more grateful for Your sacrifice on the cross. Help me to serve others and not myself just as you showed us. 🙏🏻 Have a blessed Sunday, Catholic Pilgrims. #mymasstakeaway #catholic #catholiclife catholicpilgrim #pride #thecross

A post shared by Amy Thomas (@catholic_pilgrim79) on Oct 21, 2018 at 9:56am PDT

Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.