Oct 18th 2009: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - Is 53:10-11, Heb 4:14-16, Mk 10:35-45
Every parent has had the experience of believing that you've had made yourself explicitly and clearly understood only to have the child do the exact opposite of what you wanted and then ask incredulously 'what?' And you find yourself making your wishes clear over and over again as you hear that little word 'what?' over and over again. I've really felt sorry for Jesus over the past few weeks as we have been listening to the Gospel of Mark. I am amazed by the attitude of the Apostles, his chosen group. A few weeks ago as the were journeying through Galillee, Peter was called 'satan' by Jesus and told 'get behind me', then they were discussing 'who was the greatest' among them, then they tried to prevent someone from casting out demons in Jesus' name because he was not one of their group, then they found it difficult to accept Jesus' teaching against divorce. Last week they struggled with his teaching on riches and now today two of them have the boldness to request to sit at either side of Jesus in his glory. I can imagine Him shaking his head and they standing dumfounded and asking 'what?'
They were struggling with the value system of Jesus' way; a way that requires the emtying of self rather than the gratifying, even though they had heard the words of Isaiah over and over again in the synagogue, the very word we hear in the first reading:
"The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear."
They could not see the Messiah as a suffering servant, this way was so difficult to understand and obey. If we are honest with ourselves and to each other we will admit that we struggle with the concept of being a servant, a handmaid, a slave. Why, we even struggle at being a good employee or hired hand. Everybody wants to be the chief, the 'jefe'.
James and John wanted places of distinction but instead Jesus said to them:
"Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." "
He also asked them "Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? It is as relevant a question today as when it first came out his mouth. It is a bitter cup, a cup of sorrow sometimes, a baptism of blood and sacrifice. But before we fall into despair stop and remember that the Apostles finally did get it because here we are today. We can approach and drink the cup with confidence because of what is revealed in the second reading:
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
In Christ the cup of sorrow becomes the cup of grace and blessing.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
They were struggling with the value system of Jesus' way; a way that requires the emtying of self rather than the gratifying, even though they had heard the words of Isaiah over and over again in the synagogue, the very word we hear in the first reading:
"The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear."
They could not see the Messiah as a suffering servant, this way was so difficult to understand and obey. If we are honest with ourselves and to each other we will admit that we struggle with the concept of being a servant, a handmaid, a slave. Why, we even struggle at being a good employee or hired hand. Everybody wants to be the chief, the 'jefe'.
James and John wanted places of distinction but instead Jesus said to them:
"Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." "
He also asked them "Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? It is as relevant a question today as when it first came out his mouth. It is a bitter cup, a cup of sorrow sometimes, a baptism of blood and sacrifice. But before we fall into despair stop and remember that the Apostles finally did get it because here we are today. We can approach and drink the cup with confidence because of what is revealed in the second reading:
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
In Christ the cup of sorrow becomes the cup of grace and blessing.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen