Mk 10: 35-45
Dear Friends,
Today’s Gospel selection is part of a major section of Mark’s Gospel. In this long passage (Mk 8:22 10:52), Mark challenges us to accept Jesus on his terms and to embrace the consequences of this choice in our lives as disciples. The evangelist shows Jesus as one who will save us by sacrifice and service wrapped in love not power and prestige enclosed in wealth and comfort. This is a shattering of the values of our daily world.
Right before James and John’s petition for power and privilege, for the third time, Jesus had told the disciples he would be rejected, suffer and die on the cross only to rise on the third day. Each of the three pronouncements is followed by two items. The first is an example that shows the disciples are in complete denial of the message. The second is a deeper lesson in which Jesus reveals true discipleship. These are the three instructions of Jesus in this process:
- Be open to whatever God asks of us;
- Accept even the most insignificant members of the community as equals;
- Judge our entire lives as directed in the footsteps of Jesus.
The indignation of the other disciples is, no doubt, based on the fact that James and John were the first to seek special treatment. None of them understood Jesus’ plea to take up your cross and follow me or that the first shall be last and the last first and your greatness will be determined by service not privilege.
“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give is life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45) Only with the events of the Death and Resurrection would the disciples begin to understand Jesus. His ransom of all will take place only in service and love. The illusion of power, wealth, prestige and control were not the way of Jesus. In the end, it was a call to love not human glory and security.
James and John eventually achieved the greatness they sought. As they slowly let Jesus’ words penetrate their hearts and life, they began to see the real greatness Jesus was calling them to. It was in humble service that that led them to martyrdom.
Today’s Gospel invites us to strip down all the illusions and deceptions of our life. We need to place our eyes on Jesus. We need to open our heart to him alone. The pull of the deceiving dreams of power, privilege, control and comfort is never far from our horizon.
As with the disciples, Jesus is gentle with us. However, his message is never watered down and distorted to meet our standards. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and let life unveil his truth to us.
Earlier Mark had Jesus ask, “Who do you say I am?” (Mk 8:27) Today’s challenge is that only in answering that question will we be able to see the true response to the question, “Who do we think we are?”
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