Monday of Week 7 – Sirach 2:1-11; Mark 9:30-37

In today’s society of instant gratification, everything comes across as self-evident. We have grown accustomed to receiving our needs with just one click – a simple tap delivers tap water, prompts immediate email responses, deposits funds effortlessly into our accounts, and even grants us a game code. Anything is acceptable as long as it arrives without endless preparation, free from the doubt and frustration of waiting.

However, when Jesus presents us with the image of a child and speaks of welcoming them, He invites us to embrace a very different vision. Embracing a child involves more than just responding immediately – it calls for nurturing care and a commitment to accompany them on every step of their journey towards growth and maturity. It is a life measured not in fleeting moments, but in countless hours filled with diverse experiences. This way of life demands the virtues of patience, persistence, and constant attentiveness. These are the qualities that transform simple acts of care into a lasting mission.

Although our culture may tempt us to expect instant results, now is the time to take action without delay. Answer the call enthusiastically, for it is in that very moment that our service to others truly begins. By choosing this path, we pave the way for a future brimming with purpose, compassion, and enduring optimism.