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October 14, 2021Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time—October 17, 2021 Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33:4-5,18-19,20,22; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45
One can only imagine how exciting and rewarding it must have been for the Apostles to be part of Jesus’ ever-expanding ministry in the days leading up to His return to Jerusalem. It had to be pretty heady stuff to regularly witness miracles and experience the adulation and admiration of the huge crowds. Jesus was a rock star! And the Apostles, in their humanity, had to feel proud and pretty good about their decision to follow Jesus. They were surely pumped up in the Gospel where we see James and John seeking to further be acknowledged for their role in Jesus’ ministry. In their pride they wanted more; they sought to receive recognition. Perhaps they sought to receive a little more of the acceptance and adulation that Jesus was rightly receiving from the crowds. However, Jesus quickly brought them back to reality, reminding them that it is not what one gets that is important but what one gives. Jesus teaches that the only way to achieve true sanctity and eternal joy is to love and serve as He loves and serves. It is not in acquiring anything; instead, it is in holding nothing back. He reminds us that the Father is not judging any of us on the respect, honor and affection we get, but He is grateful for the quality of the love we give. So our “cross” is to put love first…above all else. Jesus gives us instruction in the Gospels and He gives us the example and the inspiration of the cross. The Church, through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, calls us to give witness to our faith each Sunday by giving glory and praise to our God. If our attendance is a true act of faith, we will surely be given the grace through the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist to go forth and ‘love our way through’ the challenges we face in our families and in our world. We are called to be motivated in our hearts by the call to love as Christ loves and not by the desire to be loved and admired for the things we do. We are called to be humble witnesses to how God works in our lives, not unduly basking in it but being compelled to share and serve.
For further reflection on the Catholic teaching on our appropriate response to the gift of faith and God’s awesome power and love, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2559-61, 2628, 2631, 2706 and 2713.- The world encourages us to focus and keep score of what we have obtained and what we have achieved. Heaven asks us to focus on giving and serving. How do I feel about how focused I am on worldly pursuits? How do I feel about how much I am giving to and serving my family and my neighbors? Jesus gave His all in service to humanity. What do I hold back in loving and serving God? My family?
- As Catholic Christians we are called to model Christ to one another. How much time do I spend reflecting on what I am or am not getting from my Catholic faith? The institutional Church? What might I do to better serve my sisters and brothers in the Body of Christ?
- As followers of Christ we are called to be good stewards of all of the gifts God has bestowed on us. What can I do to show that I am not owned by a desire for worldly comfort and security? What are the limits on my generosity that are most difficult to overcome? What graces might I pray for to help me to develop a more giving spirit?
