Jesus is the greatest mystery of all the mysteries God makes known to those who are like children and hides from the wise and the learned.

Jesus’ predictions of his passion, death and resurrection are “mysteries,” so to speak, to them.  That is to say, they do not grasp such predictions.  Or Peter would not rebuke him.  And they would not discuss either who might be the greatest among them.  Nor would ambition tear their group apart.

And they do not grasp since they think that the Messiah is the one to free their country from Rome.  So, as they confess and follow Jesus as the Messiah, they cannot see him as one who suffers and loses. 

Their not grasping Jesus’ teaching further leads James and John not to know what they ask.  They want him to give them, in his glory, the best places of honor and power.  They do not know that what they want may be to hang on a cross as will two rebels later.  One on his right and one on his left.

For sure, the brothers do say they are willing to suffer with him.  After all, persecutions are part of the “hundred times more” that Jesus promises.  Yet it is not up to him to give out such places.  It is up, rather, to those in power.

And Jesus makes clear that his disciples are not to do as those in power whom they know and experience.  He lays out for the disciples to see a new way that they have not known at all.  For they have not seen or experienced it.  After all, what they know and see is that rulers lord it over and boss around those under them.

The mystery of mysteries

But no, it should not be so among the disciples.  For them to be great means to serve others as does the Suffering Servant.  One who wants to be first must be the slave of all.  So, the disciples are to be like their Teacher.  He is here to serve, not to be served, and to give his life for others.

And he cannot but give his life.  For threats of persecution and death will not stop him from preaching the Good News of God’s kingdom and justice.  No matter what those in power may do to him, he will go on and preach, by words and by works, to those who are poor.

But have we, who say we are his disciples, learned his teaching well and do it?  Does the way we are, live, carry ourselves, speak and dress show that we serve?  That we do not have power whose weight we can make others feel?

Hopefully, we grasp and accept that it is against his teaching to want to play the master (SV.EN XI:313).  And far be it from us to turn back in the face of threats.  For we should know and accept the truth that to do good is to court conflicts (SV.EN I:75).  That to uphold it may lead us to go and die with him, to give up our bodies and shed our blood.  We shall thus get to feel for those who are weak like us.  We will share, too, in Jesus’ mysteries of joy, light, sorrow and glory.

Lord Jesus, we say we are your disciples.  Grant that we be true messengers of the mysteries of the kingdom.  Make us want to serve others, and not to be served by them.

20 October 2024
29th Sunday in O.T. (B)
Is 53, 10-11; Heb 4, 14-16; Mk 10, 35-45