Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B October 21, 2018

First Reading
Isaiah 53:10-11
Through his suffering, the servant of Yahweh will justify many.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 33:4-5,18-19,20,22
A prayer of praise for God’s mercy

Second Reading
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus is the high priest who sympathizes with our weakness.

Gospel Reading
Mark 10:35-45 (shorter form Mark 10:42-45)
Jesus teaches that those who wish to be great must be the servant of all.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
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."


Background on the Gospel Reading

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we continue to read from the section of Mark’s
Gospel that reports Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Last Sunday we heard
Jesus lament the particular challenges those with many possessions face in
order to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus then predicts his passion to the
Twelve, who are amazed and afraid. In this part of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’
words to his closest disciples seem to be intended to prepare them for the
events that will occur in Jerusalem.

In today’s Gospel, James and John ask to be given seats of honor when
Jesus enters into his glory. Once again, the disciples seem to be
selective in what they hear Jesus say. They want to share Jesus’ glory,
but do not appear to understand that his glory will be preceded by his
suffering. Jesus notes their lack of understanding and predicts the
suffering they will endure for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus says that the
honor they seek is not his to give. When the other ten hear what James and
John have asked, Mark reports that they are indignant. Jesus takes the
opportunity to teach them.

Jesus explains the importance of service and sacrifice in the life of a
disciple. In particular, he seems to be preparing the Twelve for their
leadership roles in the emerging Christian community. Echoing the Gospel
we heard several weeks ago (on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark
9:33-37), Jesus acknowledges that his teaching is countercultural. In
today’s Gospel, Jesus contrasts the dynamics within the community of
disciples with those shown by the rulers of the Gentiles.

Following Jesus’ example of sacrificial love continues to be
countercultural in our day as well. We might take this opportunity to
consider our models of authority and examine our own exercise of
authority. On whose example do we model our leadership?


Family Connection

In the daily routine of family life, power struggles seem unavoidable.
Whenever two or more people live together, there will be occasions of
disagreement and attempts to exert influence over each other. Today’s
Gospel can be an invitation to consider how authority is exercised in your
household. There is a temptation to exercise our authority in ways that
show our power over others. Especially when conflicts emerge, many of us
rely upon the power we believe our role gives to us. Jesus teaches us that
there is a more persuasive form of leadership. In these daily challenges
we have the opportunity to practice and teach the kind of service and
leadership Jesus modeled for us in his ministry and in his passion and
death.

As you gather as a family, invite family members to participate in a role
play in which family roles are reversed. For example, you might assign
children the role of parents putting their children to bed with parents
acting like the children. Or you may have them role play parents asking
for cooperation from children to clean up the family room. When the role
play is finished, ask if it was an accurate picture of how this situation
usually plays out in your household. Does everyone cooperate when asked?
What happens when someone doesn’t cooperate? How are the conflicts that
emerge resolved? Observe that conflicts based on power struggles in
situations such as these seem unavoidable in family life. In today’s
Gospel, Jesus teaches how Christians are to show their authority over
others. Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 10:35-45. After reading the
Gospel, talk with your family about Jesus’ unique message to his disciples
about how they are to exercise authority. Talk about ways in which you
might apply Jesus’ words in your family life. Conclude by praying we may
receive honor in God’s eyes by learning to serve others in love. Pray
together the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings