My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Over the past several weeks, we have heard from the Gospel of Mark, chapters 8-10, Jesus’ journey from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem. The Gospel readings tell us of misunderstandings, provocations, reversals, ambitions and finally, the revelation of Jesus’ identity and mission on earth. Each time they misinterpret, Jesus teaches them about the meaning of discipleship and true greatness in the kingdom of God.
In the first prediction, Jesus tells the disciples that he will suffer, be rejected, killed, and will rise after three days. After Peter’s rebuke, Jesus tells them to deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow him. In the second prediction, the disciples did not understand and were afraid to ask him. Sensing that something momentous is about to happen, they debated among themselves who would be the greatest. Jesus takes another opportunity to teach them that the first will be the last and that those who receive children in his name receive him.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, James and John boldly ask that they may take the highest places of honor next to Jesus, with one at his right and the other at his left. The others became indignant when they heard of this, because they too want places of honor and authority. Jesus again teaches them that to be the greatest, they must become the servant of all. He also tells them that “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
On our journey of discipleship, we are tempted to give into fear and doubt when difficulties arise. Like the first disciples, we selectively hear what we want and disregard what doesn’t appeal to us. We want to follow the triumphant Risen Christ and put aside the Crucified Christ. Yet as St. Paul says, “we preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor 1:23). Let us offer our trials, sufferings, and difficulties to the Lord Jesus, our High Priest, in the hope that we will rise again with him on the last day.
What compels you to follow Jesus? What do you wish Jesus to do for you?
How can we follow Jesus’ example of servant leadership in the positions that we occupy in life?
Fr. David Vivero
