Vol.5 No.2 DoM Gospel Reflection—Mark 9:30-37
25th Sunday Ordinary Time/ September 20, 2015
By Edna Delchamps
Jesus the teacher the One that knows all and sees all is predicting his death for a second time. He was teaching the disciples and they just did not get it. They did not even ask questions. I know that I would have some questions if my friend tells me something so horrible and puzzling. I would want to know why HE says they are going to “kill him” and what in the world does this mean “the Son of Man will rise”Instead as they moved forward through Galilee to Capernaum the disciples began to discuss among themselves who was to be first or the greatest disciple of our Lord.
According to Raymond Brown, in an Introduction to the New Testament, “Jesus returns in this narrative to the issue of those who enter the kingdom. …Although there are distinguished places prepared by God, the disciples must learn that the Gentile pattern where kings lord it over people is not to be followed in the kingdom that Jesus proclaims. Service is what makes one great.” As we may remember, Mark’s readers and hearers were mostly Gentiles and they thought of greatness as being better than others.
So again, the disciples began to discuss among themselves who was to be first or the greatest disciple of our Lord.
Can’t you just hear them – Well I was there when or I am always the one he calls on or you are only there when you want not all of the time. (Can you tell I am from a very large family – I have 9 siblings – we were always looking for attention and wanted to be the preferred child – if there was to be one) This makes me consider who doesn’t want to be the parents favorite child, , the teacher’s pet, or the most called upon Daughter of Mary – the best commentator. Whether we admit it or not, we all in some way want to be commended for hard work or just to be the acknowledged.
I love how Jesus waits to get them in the room to sit them down and have this discussion, and teaches them . The fact that He asked “ what were you arguing about on the way?” and they are silent as if HE had to know exactly what they were arguing about. Jesus explains to His disciples if anyone wishes to be first ,” he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
This is His encouragement – of our need to be hospitable – the church should be the servant of all calling all to the church – we need to remember to ask others to join us even in our night time group here at St Ignatius Daughters of Mary.
Now to get to the area of this Gospel that has made me smile. THE CHILD Jesus uses a child in his teaching and as Father Farmer mentioned we like to think of Jesus as the Child. I was thinking how much we would all like to be the child that Jesus picks ups in his arms.
Consider how Jesus wants us to learn from him – how he wants to touch our hearts and pat our heads like Joseph does to the Child Jesus in the painting. Think about this – we are all a child of Jesus – created in his image – he is always tugging at us – he is using this gospel today to make us continue to remember that . To pay attention and learn – try not to be the greatest – but to be a servant of the Lord.
He wants to mold us were we are today and to continue to draw us deeper in prayer. Like the song “ I want to know you – I want to here your voice —I envision any one of us as the child Jesus is holding in his arms. Doesn’t that feel good. ( never get to stay there long – but know he is always calling us back) Preparing for a Commentary you read and read the gospel it is as Matthew Kelly said “always fresh. It;s not that they(the gospels) change, but I change. The circumstances of my life change, the questions I am grappling with change, and so the Gospels seem new.
Jesus holds us all up regardless of our circumstances. ( they can be many different circumstances) and wants to be sure that we are all called to receive Him. Because as Jesus said “ whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me: and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me.”
This also can be a call to Eucharist – we are so fortunate as Catholics to know that we are receiving the Lord into our body to take with us and to fill our heart so that the torments inside can be over taken.
We are then hosting if you will Jesus in our home (our body, our heart) AS we heard two weeks ago about the list of evils that can come from within. The list is terrifying. So remember you are hosting our Lord in you so that you will not be temped by the any of the above. Realize that we are all children of the Lord He raises us all UP – constantly calling us
Fun thing to share – this prayer card is a very old one from my Aunts home and it is unique
The Words are
You – I seek —You – I mean You—You – Yes You – I love you
He is seeking as a sweet baby boy—
I thought for a long time – but then one day decided to turn it around and say you Jesus I seek you.
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