The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 22, 2006
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 53:10-11
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mark 10:35-45

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Even saints were once young and foolish! Not only foolish but selfish and pushy!

In Mark’s Gospel, the two “sons of thunder,” James and John, make a bid for a power position in Jesus’ new kingdom. They’re overeager and too confident as they ask the Master for the choice seats next to His Throne! But, Jesus doesn’t get angry with them. After assuring them that seating arrangements will be made by God the Father, He quietly asks them if they’re prepared to drink the bitter cup He is about to drink.

James and John must have looked at each other in some embarrassment and confusion before they reply, “We can!” Now the other disciples are angry and resentful at James and John’s attempt to pull something over on them. (Obviously, they’re looking for power and prestige just as much as the two brothers.)

Sadly, Jesus realizes that none of them understand, so He emphatically and clearly sets the rules for Christian discipleship: no lording it over one another! “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.”

Let’s be careful! There’s a tendency for everyone in Church this Sunday to assume that the Lord is talking to the “big shots” in the Church. The truth is, He’s talking to the WHOLE Church. To whatever extent we abuse the authority of our Baptism, either in Church or in our families, to that extent we are untrue to the example Jesus sets for us. The other readings for the day make clear that Jesus, the High Priest, identifies with us NOT in our sinfulness, but in our suffering.

So, if we are to follow Jesus’ rules for discipleship, we must strive to be “suffering servants.”

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)