It is 23rd May 2018. The readings are from James 4:13-17; and the Gospel is from Mark 9:38-40. None of us is in the know of what is going to happen to us and to the world around with full certainty. When people begin to boast of knowing many things, they mislead others to believe their vicious and cunning plans rather than the will of God. Discerning and trusting in the will and plan of God is that makes us to be humble and open to cooperate with God. But it is so sad that many of us trust ourselves and our circles of acquaintances more than God. We begin to plan and make arrangements with our human skills and organisational connections leaving God wilfully and purposely. Such people are infected with such a wicked pride that eats them up gradually and refusing to be charitable and helpful to others even though they know that it is that right thing to do. “Everyone who knows what the right is to do and does not do it commits a sin.” (James 4:17). Our human calculations of moving people around for our conveniences and petty gains of power is the direct interference with the plan of God. Time is decided by God and the blessings are bestowed by God alone not just by a perfect human calculation. We need to calculate the steps we make towards the eternal happiness than to have temporary ones. The responsorial Psalm praises, “How happy are the poor in spirit; there is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3). The Gospel invites us to have the virtue of tolerance to respect and accept the contributions of the others however meagre it might be. Pride and arrogance is seen with those who are intolerant. “Anyone who is not against us is for us.” (Mk.9:40). We need to have such openness to accept and take everyone on board to do the will of God. It is not who gets the praise and appreciation matters rather is the work done for the glory of Christ or not? Let us be cautious in trusting ourselves solely. We need to trust God and believe in the will of God that things would happen according to God’s plan. May you have a good day. God bless you.