Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We have seen images of the earth taken from space. From up there, the world looks very different from down here. There is even that Bette Midler hit, “From a Distance.” But even more inspiring for me is the sketch of the crucified Christ by John of the Cross. This is the sketch that inspired Salvador Dali’s “The crucifixion of Christ.” Since I wrote my homily last week, a thought has been ruminating in my mind – that there are two world views: one from down here and one from the cross. Things look different from up there. Everything has to look different from up there. Otherwise, the cross has no meaning.
In my three points, drawing inspiration from today’s scripture, I would like to reflect more deeply on the life lessons from Jesus Christ, who was on the cross, and led us to redemption.
The View from the Cross
In my homily last week, I reflected on the Peter’s confession of Jesus as “the Christ” and Jesus telling his disciples of his impending suffering and death. When Peter rebuked Jesus at this revelation, Jesus said to Peter. “You are not thinking as God does but as human beings do” (Mk 8:33). This is the distinction between how God thinks and how human beings do. The cross and Jesus on the cross become the focal point of the difference between how God thinks and how human beings do. As I said last week, “From the cross it not about wealth and fame, power and domination, greed and self-preservation. That is how the world thinks. From the cross it is about love and mercy, goodness and forgiveness, selflessness and servanthood, denying oneself, taking up the cross, and laying down one’s life for one another and for the sake of the gospel.
We then come to today’s scripture. Even though Jesus schooled the disciples, they have a new preoccupation. “Who is the greatest?” (MK 9:34). Once again, Jesus contrasts the view from the cross and the world and says to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (MK 9:35). In Matthew’s gospel the contrast between the world and the cross is even more defined. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 22:25-28).
As followers of Jesus, we have two worldviews from which to live life – the view from the cross or the view from down below. “Who is the greatest?” is a question that can kill marriages, destroy friendships, poison the workplace, devastate the church, and begin wars. On the other hand, a servant spirit brings life these very relationships.
“Wisdom from Above" (The Cross)
On a very practical level, what is the standard set by the cross of Christ? The second reading from the letter of James is a good starting point to answer this question. James says, “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above (I am interpreting it as “from the cross), is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace” (Js 3:16-18).
Jesus invited his disciples who were arguing about “Who is the greatest?” to set aside jealousy and selfish ambition. It would only lead to disorder and foul practice. And today, Jesus invites us to do the same. He invites us to live life from the cross – a life that is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. For the sake of our family, our church, our world, and for eternity itself, may we allow “wisdom from above” to lead us.
"On the Way" to Discipleship
Jesus began his ministry with the goal of introducing the reign of God into the world. These are two contrasting worldviews. He chose a small band of disciples to accomplish this task. But first, he would have to convince his disciples that they must view the world from the cross. They did not get it at first. But then, he took up the cross, and by his personal example showed them what it means to think not as human beings do but God does. He showed from the cross what it means that the way to greatness is to become the servant of all.
Our entire life is a journey in discipleship. For a life-time we will be on the way. We may not get it at first but if we keep looking at Christ; if we train ourselves to look at life and the world from the cross; if in small ways make attempts to be the servant of all, we will get there.
Today, we are wherever we are in this journey. Either we understand Christ’s way, are getting there, or still need to reach the point of conviction. Perhaps, it is some combination of all three. Today, let us allow Jesus to speak to us and to show us the way. May we follow Jesus to the cross and our redemption.
The Eucharist is a celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ. If this is what we believe, then this Eucharist is both a celebration of who we are and a challenge to be who we are called to be. May our participation in this Eucharist help us to view the world from the cross and wisdom from above.
- Fr. Satish Joseph