Childrens Liturgy of The Word

The Season of Lent

Today's Readings

Saint of the Day

Blog_Archive

2015 Nov  9374  7
2015 Oct  4062  4
2015 Sep  1529  2
2015 Jun  706  1
2015 May  1416  2
2015 Apr  3399  4
2015 Mar  2534  3
2015 Feb  2872  4
2015 Jan  1984  3
2014 Dec  2195  3
2014 Nov  2431  3
2014 Oct  2286  3
2014 Sep  2362  3
2014 Jun  2577  3
2014 Apr  1905  2
2014 Mar  4210  4
2014 Feb  4498  5
2014 Jan  3289  4
2013 Dec  2412  3
2013 Nov  3699  5
2013 Oct  2507  4
2013 Sep  1879  3
2013 Jun  3325  4
2013 May  2837  3
2013 Apr  1582  2
2013 Feb  3745  4
2013 Jan  3615  4
2012 Dec  3984  4
2012 Nov  3115  4
2012 Oct  2329  4
2012 Sep  2614  4
2012 Jun  1014  2
2012 May  873  2
2012 Apr  2674  3
2012 Mar  2878  4
2012 Feb  2645  4
2012 Jan  1969  3
2011 Dec  1983  3
2011 Nov  2446  3
2011 Oct  2585  4
2011 Sep  2820  4
2011 Aug  1913  3
2011 Jul  2028  3
2011 Jun  3220  4
2011 Apr  1420  2
2011 Mar  11541  4
2011 Feb  3297  4
2011 Jan  3645  4
2010 Dec  2242  3
2010 Nov  3346  4
2010 Oct  3770  4
2010 Sep  2579  4
2010 Aug  3332  4
2010 Jul  2892  4
2010 Jun  4222  4
2010 May  3040  3
2010 Apr  1553  2
2010 Mar  2362  3
2010 Feb  2565  4
2010 Jan  1506  3
2009 Oct  462  1

Reflections on the weekly readings

Sunday, October 18th, 2015 - The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The most important line in this Sunday’s readings is the last line of the Gospel and it sums up the focus of our lesson for that day and the readings:  “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
 
In the first reading from the book of Isaiah we listen to the description of the innocent servant who voluntarily takes on the suffering and punishment due to his people for their sins.  Although this was written long before Jesus, only Jesus, the Christ, embodies all of the qualities and fulfills the definition of the suffering servant perfectly.  For his self-sacrifice as an offering for sin for so many, the suffering servant will not go unrewarded but “…he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many and their guilt he shall bear.”
 
 

In the Gospel according to Mark the disciples, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come to Jesus and say to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”  This is very bold of the disciples but Jesus does not become angry at their command, but asks what it is they wish for him to do.  They want to be seated at his right and left when he comes into “his glory”, when he ascends to the kingdom of God.  Jesus attempts to explain to them that they do not understand what they are asking.  Can they drink the cup that he will drink, or be baptized with the baptism Jesus will be baptized?  In other words, can they offer themselves as a sacrifice for the sins of the world?  They clearly do not know what it is they are asking, but we must see ourselves in the disciples because we are no more knowledgeable on the ways of God, really.  We must ask and learn. 

 
 
Jesus does an interesting thing.  He shows that the “great ones”, those who are rulers, or governors, of people, make their authority over them burdensome.  The people the “great ones” rule are treated as servants.  Jesus did not come to be one of the “great ones”, he did not come to be served but to serve.  That is a huge difference.  “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.”
 
 
To walk in the ways of Jesus means sacrificing ourselves for the sake of others.  There is a saying in our Church, and many Christian churches, “God FIRST, All Others second, myself last and ALL for the GLORY of GOD”.  This exemplifies the complete nature of Christ Jesus and what he expects from us.  Jesus didn’t expect his disciples to remain unchanged in their calling, but expected them, was counting on them, to become more and better for His sake.  That is what is asked of us, if we are following Jesus, if we love him, to become more and better.  Our goal is to get to the Kingdom of God, despite our earthly distractions of buying bigger and better everything as we meet and surpass milestones or goals in our earthly lives.  We need to set some milestones or goals for our life with Jesus…preparing for our retirement, as it were, from this earthly life.  We are not yet what we are meant to be, which is Holy - Saints.  We won’t get there based on the amount of money we have, good jobs we have, or fancy cars we drive.  Those might get you special notice HERE, but won’t pave the way for God’s Kingdom.  For that, you need to sacrifice yourself, self-LESS-ly and become a servant for others.
 
 
Our Psalm this week is Psalm 33:  Lord Let Your Mercy Be On Us”.

Lead Sheet  Music Recording  (This is a really lovely Pslam setting, BTW.)

Please follow the hyperlinks to a music demo and lead sheet link.
 
 
Have a blessed week, searching for ways to serve selflessly.


Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.