Reflections for Sunday, October 21, 2018: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
Mass Readings:
1st Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11 Responsorial: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
2nd Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16 Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
Answering the Call to Serve Jesus and Build the Kingdom of God
The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
It has been estimated that Internet start-up companies try to squeeze ten years’ worth of growth in just three years. Imagine the grueling amount of work the entire team would have to perform over that time. Imagine the sacrifices each team member would have to make in order to make the company a success.
Now imagine if, one day, one of the employees of such a company stood up in a meeting and asked the founder to make him a key executive over everyone else. Imagine him asking for the corner office and all the other perks that come with such a position. How do you think his coworkers would react? They had all worked hard! Why should this fellow get special treatment?
This scenario is a bit of a modern take on today’s Gospel reading, as James and John ask Jesus to guarantee them special seating when he comes into his kingdom. All the disciples had worked hard and followed Jesus faithfully, so why should these two be raised up above the others?
It seems that James and John missed three important points. First, they didn’t understand that Jesus was destined to be a heavenly king, not an earthly one. They missed that he wanted to build a kingdom focused on mercy and love, not power and domination.
Second, they didn’t realize that Jesus had come to die, not to reign. He had come, not to be served like royalty, but to serve his people—to the point of giving up his very life for them.
Finally, they missed the point that this isn’t a competition. Everyone who serves Jesus will be given a seat of honor in heaven!
Like the apostles, you, too, are part of Jesus’ team. So think about your role in his organization. How is he calling you to give your life in service to him and his kingdom?
“Father, give me a servant’s heart. Lord, I want to dedicate myself to making sure that everyone in your kingdom succeeds.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
1. In the first reading, we see an Old Testament prophecy of what Jesus was willing to suffer, out of his great love for us: The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.
- How would you describe how our Lord Jesus fulfilled this Old Testament prophecy?
- How does this prophecy compare to the words of St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:21? For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
- How would you describe the impact on your life that the knowledge that God loves you so much that he was willing to allow his Son to suffer and die on the cross for your salvation?
2. The Responsorial Psalm speaks of putting our trust and our hope in the Lord and his kindness. and waiting on him. It begins with these words: Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. The Psalm ends with these words: Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
- What do these words from the psalm mean to you?
- Are there any areas of your life where you struggle to make the Lord your help and your shield?
- What steps can you take to increase your hope and trust in Him?
3. In the second reading, we hear these words: Brothers and Sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So, let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
- What do you think the author of Hebrews meant by let us hold fast to our confession?
- What do these closing words of the reading mean to you: So, let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help?
- What can hold you back from taking this promise of God to heart, especially when you need “timely help”?
4. In the Gospel reading, Jesus responds to both the inquiry of James and John who were vying for positions of honor, and the indignation of the other apostles: You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
- With these words, Jesus was calling the apostles — and us — to be “servant leaders.” What do you think it means to be a servant leader?
- In what ways was Jesus a servant leader? How does this term apply to you?
5. The meditation reminds us that in the Gospel reading, “James and John ask Jesus to guarantee them special seating when he comes into his kingdom.” It goes on to describe how “James and John missed three important points. First, they didn’t understand that Jesus was destined to be a heavenly king, not an earthly one. They missed that he wanted to build a kingdom focused on mercy and love, not power and domination. Second, they didn’t realize that Jesus had come to die, not to reign. He had come, not to be served like royalty, but to serve his people—to the point of giving up his very life for them. Finally, they missed the point that this isn’t a competition. Everyone who serves Jesus will be given a seat of honor in heaven!” The meditation ends with these words: “Like the apostles, you, too, are part of Jesus’ team. So, think about your role in his organization. How is he calling you to give your life in service to him and his kingdom?”
- In what ways do you agree or disagree with the three points described in the meditation?
- How would you answer the ending question in the meditation: “How is he (Jesus) calling you to give your life in service to him and his kingdom?”
Take some time now to pray and ask your heavenly Father for a servant’s heart like Jesus and for the grace to say yes to his call to serve him and others, Use the prayer below from the end of the meditation as the starting point.
“Father, give me a servant’s heart. Lord, I want to dedicate myself
to making sure that everyone in your kingdom succeeds.”
