TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
21 OCTOBER 2018
James
and John enjoy a privileged position among the Apostles. Jesus has taken them aside many times at
critical times in his ministry, along with Peter. They had been with Peter when Jesus had been
transformed on Mount Tabor. They had
enjoyed a glimpse of his true nature and future glory. They already know that Jesus has given Peter
a position of primacy in the Church to be established. So, it is completely understandable that they
would approach Jesus and ask for places of power and honor and prestige when
Jesus comes into his glory. They are
following their natural instincts.
However,
their timing is horrible. On the way to
Jerusalem, Jesus has been teaching them that as Messiah, he is the suffering
servant of Isaiah. When Isaiah said that
God was pleased to crush his servant in infirmity, he was not talking about a
blood thirsty tyrant who can only be appeased by suffering. The suffering servant willingly takes the
place of a guilty Israel to suffer the consequences of their sinfulness in a
redemptive way. As the promised
suffering servant, Jesus would take upon himself all the effects of human sin,
hatred, rejection, and betrayal. For the
third time, Jesus clearly tells his apostles that their journey on the road to
Jerusalem will result in his sacrificial death on a cross. He will drink the cup that represents the
Father’s will for him in his mission of salvation. He will pay the ransom for the consequences
which humankind deserves for our embrace of sin.
James and
John have not been listening to his words.
Instead of yelling at them for not paying attention, he asks if they can
drink of that cup. They glibly say that
they can. But Jesus knows that they have
no idea of what they are talking about. In
time, they will understand that the crucified Lord is surrounded by two thieves
on as he dies on the cross on Mount Calvary. He gives himself as a humble
servant. After the resurrection, they too will
understand that their privileged leadership in the Christian community will
involve humble service, and not power and honor and prestige. In being humble servants, they will
eventually drink of that same cup and show the world a different style of
leadership. They too will share in the
redemptive suffering of the one who has taken upon himself the sins of the
world.
If we study
the history of our Church over the past 2,000 years, we can see many examples
of privileged leaders who have understood their roles as humble servants. When leaders have shared in the redemptive
suffering of Jesus Christ, the Church has flourished. But, when privileged leaders have repeated
the mistake of James and John and have put their desires for power and honor
and prestige ahead of the needs of the faithful, the Church has suffered. We are living in such a time now. We see the incredible damage done when
certain priests and bishops have put their own pleasure and interests ahead of
the people they should have been serving as humble servants. They have done great damage to the Body of
Christ.
Jesus speaks
directly to us who have the privileged position of being leaders. He reminds us that we are called to be humble
servants, putting the needs of the people ahead of our own desires and needs
for recognition. He reminds all of us
who have become his disciples to imitate his example and trust in his
redemptive suffering to triumph over the power of sin and death.
Bishop
Rhoades has asked us to pray the Prayer of Saint Michael the Archangel at the
end of all Masses. The enemies of the
Church are having a field day over our current situation. We will ask for the intercession of Saint
Michael the Archangel to aid us in our battle with Satan. In praying this prayer, we will also express
our trust that the Lord’s redemptive suffering will guide us out of this time
and triumph over the powers of hell.
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