29th Sunday of the Year, B – October 17, 2021.
Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; Hebrews 4:14-16 & Mark 10:35-45 Or Mark 10:42-45.
Theme – The Danger of Shortcuts
Sunday Synopsis
The first reading reveals how the suffering servant “gives his life as an offering for sin.” The second reading stresses that the faithful should hold fast to their faith. The reading reveals that we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. In the gospel, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus to ask for a favour to sit on His right and His left. Jesus noted that whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all. The liturgy warns us against taking shortcuts as we journey towards heaven. It also urges us to endure persecution and embrace servant-leadership.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, our liturgy today challenges us on the need to avoid shortcuts as we journey towards heaven. Titled “The Danger of Shortcuts,” the readings points us to the suffering servant as a prelude to Jesus, servant-leader par excellence who empathizes with his brothers and sisters in their weakness and ultimately lays down his life for his sheep.
Background & Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Is. 53:10-11) reveals how the suffering servant “gives his life as an offering for sin.” It further states that “Because of his affliction, he shall see the light in fullness of days.” The text empathically explains that “through his suffering” He shall “justify many, and bear their guilt.”
The second reading (Hebrews 4:14-16) stresses that the faithful should hold fast to their faith. Typical of the paradoxical hero that He is, the reading reveals that we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. It maintains that He has been “tested in every way, yet without sin.”
In the gospel (Mk 10:42-45), James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus to ask for a favour to sit on His right and His left. We are told that Jesus further asked whether they could drink the cup He would drink. They answered in the affirmative. However, Jesus insists that this is not His to grant “but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” Because the other Apostles felt that James and John wanted to occupier a higher position, they became indignant with them.
Jesus seized the opportunity to warn them not to seek recognition like Gentile-rulers who always lord it over their people by making their authority felt. “Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant” He insisted. Jesus noted that whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all. He surmised that “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Pastoral Lessons
- Lay Down Your Life for Others: In a world where people eschew suffering but are attracted to vain pleasure, both the first reading and gospel charge us to emulate the suffering servant and Christ who do not seek their own profit but lay down their lives as a ransom for many.
- Empathize with the Vulnerable: Since we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses as the second reading relates, we are encouraged to help and empathize with all vulnerable people especially children, women, the aged, the sick and the abjectly-poor who need our care and attention.
- Hold Fast to the Faith: In the face of Christian persecution in a country where the likes of Leah Sharaibu are still in the hands of Boko Haram because of their faith, we are charged to “hold fast to our faith” in imitation of Jesus, the leader of our faith.
- Pray for Persecuted Christians: We are urged to pray for Christians who are persecuted even as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us drink the cup of suffering or accept the baptism of blood should it come our way bearing in mind that Jesus’ conversation with James and John warns us about “The Danger of Shortcuts” in our journey to heaven.
- Embrace Servant-leadership: The imperative “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant” calls us to embrace Jesus’ servant-leadership in all ramifications as a benchmark for self-less service and good governance.
Summary Lines
- 1. The first reading reveals how the suffering servant “gives his life as an offering for sin.”
- The second reading stresses that the faithful should hold fast to their faith.
- The reading reveals that we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.
- In the gospel, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus to ask for a favour to sit on His right and His left.
- Jesus noted that whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our liturgy cautions both secular and religious leaders to distance themselves from lording it over people or making their authority felt like Gentile-rulers. Because the text highlights that Jesus has been “tested in every way, yet without sin,” the faithful are invited to bear the qualms of this life patiently as we await His return in glory. By coming to serve and not to be served and giving His life as a ransom for many, our liturgy invites us to imitate Christ through a willingness to sacrifice for our brothers and sisters towards making the world a better place to live in. Have a blessed week!
