20 October 2024

Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Ps. 33:4-5. 18-20. 22; Heb. 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45

Theme: “Walking with Jesus: Honor and Humility”

What does it mean for the church, for congregations, and for individual Christians to imitate Jesus, who relinquished himself to the designs of his powerful enemies?

The passage taken from Isaiah, as the first reading for today, is, unfortunately, one verse short of the fourth Song of the Suffering Servant (52:13 – 53:12) which ends with words of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance of the faithful servant from death’s power. Jesus demonstrated his great love for children by blessing them and telling his disciples to let them come to him. The servant is likened to an offering for sin. Notably, the Hebrew word for ‘righteous’ (‘tzadak’), originally a requirement of human behavior in the beginning of Isaiah, is now descriptive of God’s action, representing a dramatic reversal from the state of affairs described at the start of Isaiah, where the people were laden with iniquity. Now, the servant will bear their iniquities. The New Testament writers see these verses as central to their Christian faith, applying the sufferings of the servant to Jesus and understanding his sufferings as effective for all human sin.

The theme of God’s love of righteousness continues in the verses we read from Psalm 33 today, calling us to praise and declare God’s greatness, describing God as the creator and defender of his people, watching over those who trust in him.

The writer of Hebrews, having worked with the theme of fidelity exemplified by Jesus and called for in his followers, now speaks of mercy. The combination of mercy and grace is common in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, inspiring confidence and boldness in approaching God. This passage plays a key role in the Gospel according to Mark’s understanding of why Jesus dies and what his death means. It describes the Christian gospel and the community it creates as utterly different from the “business as usual” we encounter all around us.

 Do I mirror Jesus’ humility as a servant?

The reading from Mark echoes the suffering servant in Isaiah, preceded by the third prediction of Jesus’ passion. The disciples fail to grasp Jesus’ meaning and the implications of his teaching for their own lives. The attitudes Jesus demands of his disciples are based on his own life of service and acceptance of death. The disciples’ misunderstanding is evident as they ask for a share in Jesus’ future kingly power. Mark reminds his readers that Jesus will be proclaimed king in Jerusalem, but it will involve shame and crucifixion. This teaching would have been clear to Mark’s early Christian community, facing the threat of persecution. Jesus’ reply emphasizes the necessity for suffering. The disciples’ response shows their lack of understanding of Jesus’ request, as well as the implications of their request to sit at his right and left. There is a hint of irony in Mark’s account of the death of Jesus, as two robbers are crucified on his right and left.

For Reflection and Discussion: 1. Do I mirror Jesus’ humility as a servant? 2. What does it mean for the church, for congregations, and for individual Christians to imitate Jesus, who relinquished himself to the designs of his powerful enemies?

Bibliography: McKenzie, J.L. Dictionary of the Bible (New York: 1965); The Catholic Prayer Bible Lectio Divina Edition; Chellew, B.T.,  Biblical Stories for Godly Living (SA Catholic Books Online:2024) (https://eu.docs.wps.com/l/sIBK5jJbIAeOutLgG?v=v2)

This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by

Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Israel-Jerusalem, Bat Kol Alumnus 2023

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