Sunday, October 20, 2024

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, October 20, 2024

(Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45)

Today's Gospel follows the style of the last two Sundays. Jesus takes his disciples aside to give them a teaching on morality. Two weeks ago, he spoke about divorce and the injustice it entails. Last Sunday, he dealt with how the love of money can cause the loss of the soul. Now he focuses on the root of all sin, pride, or if you prefer, arrogance or selfishness. Being his disciples too, we should pay attention to his words so as not to fall in love with ourselves and distance ourselves from God.

The reading begins with an embarrassing story. As if they were caught with their hands in the collection, the brothers James and John are portrayed asking Jesus for the highest positions in his kingdom. They want to be great before the world, even though Scripture warns us about the danger of pride. According to one moralist, in the Bible it is not the great and proud who matter to God. Rather, they are destined to fall.

But let us not be too harsh on those infected with pride. After all, most of us have thought of ourselves as better than we really are. Who among us has not argued for a higher grade than the one our teacher gave us? Who has not shared a “selfie” that enhances our appearance on social networks such as Facebook or Instagram?

God’s response to our pride could be severe, but it is not. Rather, he treats us with understanding. In the gospel, Jesus asks James and John if they can endure the test he will face. They, without fully understanding what he has in mind, answer “we can.” Jesus confirms their answer. Knowing that they will receive the Holy Spirit as support, Jesus allows them to feel his love.

Next, Jesus denounces the rulers of the world for having abused their power. You do not need to be an expert in the Bible to understand this criticism. We have all encountered corrupt public officials. Jesus also accuses religious leaders of oppressing simple followers.  He insists that the leaders of his church should not act in such ways. He sets himself up as a model. He will give his life to redeem sinners destined for oblivion. His words resonate with the first reading where the prophet Isaiah speaks of the Suffering Servant of the Lord who “through his suffering … will justify many and their guilt he shall bear.”  This is the mission of Jesus who is about “’to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

This gospel is particularly pertinent today for two reasons, one secular and one religious. Soon the United States including Puerto Rico will be voting for new public officials. The Church invites the community to pray for the those who are elected.  They will be daily tempted to take advantage of their offices for their own benefit. Giving into the temptation, they will not only deny justice to the people but will also endanger their own souls.

Pope St. Gregory the Great, in the seventh century, described himself as “servant of the servants of God.” Every pope since then has borne this title, though not all have acted like it. Certainly, Pope Francis has been exemplary in service. He is right now implementing a program of accompaniment by the hierarchy with the people known as “synodality.” With God’s favor, this program will open space for listening by Church leadership to the concerns and recommendations of the laity.

The year of reading the Gospel of St. Mark well end soon. We still have much to learn from it about discipleship. We want to be like Jesus so that at the end of our life on earth he will recognize us as his own.