Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

In last week’s gospel, Jesus had asked his disciples who they thought he was. After Peter’s revealing confession, in today’s gospel reading Jesus begins to talk about his impending suffering and death at the hands of people with vested interests. Shockingly though, the disciples are busy with a totally unrelated issue – “Who is the greatest?” In similar vein, today’s first reading narrates the instance of a few powerful and privileged people planning the destruction of the poor, innocent and underprivileged of Israelite society. So, here is my question. What is it about human beings that we have this inner urge to dominate others, to have more than others, to control others, to be better than others, and all this many times at the cost of others? What made the disciples so insensitive to the impending suffering of another human being? And what makes us fashion a world that thrives on inequality. And yes, who is the greatest?

 In Matthew’s version of the same gospel episode, Jesus answers, “This shall not be among you.” (Mt 23:11). So what shall be among the followers of Jesus? “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” (Mk 9:35). I would like to explore what Jesus meant by the above words. In the following three practical implications I would like to propose a way to live by the Jesus ethic.

Here is s question that is designed to create self-awareness. What is our primary pursuit at this point of time? For example, the primary pursuit of the wicked in the first reading was exploitation of the weak. The primary pursuit of the disciples in the gospel reading was power and influence. What about us? In other words, what occupies our minds when we are alone and quiet for a moment? It could range from preoccupations about retirement, financial planning, health issues, family, relationships or even sports. If I had to say, let us connect our primary pursuit with the life and message of Jesus, would we be able to find a connection? Spend some time this week figuring out the answer to this question. 

- Fr. Satish Joseph