September 18, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for what is coming, for he has told them about the passion and death he must endure, and the resurrection that would follow. But the disciples weren’t getting it; they didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about. How could they? Everything he was saying was so foreign to them that it makes sense that they were confused. 

One might think that the disciples would be curious, that they would want to know more, to understand what Jesus was talking about. But they do not engage in the topic, and all we know is that they were afraid to question him. 

Instead, they move on to a different question, one they are not afraid to broach with Jesus: Who among them is the greatest, the second in command? Jesus answers that it is the last, the servant of all. He says that to receive a child in his name is to receive him, and whoever receives him receives the one who sent him – the Father. 

Jesus is focused on what will happen, while the disciples engage in speculation. Jesus wants to change the way the disciples think; he wants to teach them that they will be judged based on the humility with which they serve others, not how important they are.

Humility, service, and childlike faith – these are qualities of the kingdom. We might argue that curiosity, as a child is curious, is also a kingdom quality because it is a desire to know God more and more, and to be fearless in seeking that knowledge. The disciples clearly did not exhibit these attributes in this exchange.

This is an opportunity for us to reflect and change as necessary how we think about our relationship with God. Instead of focusing solely on things of the world, we can seek wisdom that is of God. We can strive to be more Christ-like in our way of living.



Ultimately, as Jesus Christ is the suffering servant, the one sacrifice made for all, we imitate him in our love for and service to others. We pray for the grace to be who he asks us to be and do what he asks us to do: to live humbly and serve one another in love.

 

God Love Ya!

Fr. Reilly