Sunday October 17th : “Son of Man himself did not come to be served…” Gospel Refelctions with Fr Brian Maher OMI
“Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve.”
Mark 10:35-45
It was when Jesus was in the towns and villages of Galilee that he healed the sick, fed the hungry and proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom. His friends and disciples watched and listened and slowly came to believe that he was sent by God.
I have often wondered what it must have been like to walk the dusty paths and roads between those towns and villages with him. It would have been during these ‘informal’ times that they spoke among themselves, forged friendships, and wondered aloud and silently, “who was this man who had changed their lives.”
The Gospel this Sunday gives us maybe a slightly humorous insight into the times the disciples spent alone with Jesus. James and John approach Jesus to ask a favour – interestingly, in Matthew’s account of the same story it is their poor mother who asks on their behalf, maybe saving them some embarrassment! Their request is that they get the best seats, be the top men, in the Kingdom. Ambition? Maybe a little pride? Possibly a bit selfish? Whatever the motivation Jesus puts them firmly in their place, saying no to the request and reminding them that they do not know what they are asking, that there is a cost to following him. I don’t think they understood him, but I can still imagine them slinking away, more embarrassed than disappointed, regretting that they ever opened their mouths.
And what did Jesus himself think of the request? He comes across as a slightly disappointed but patient parent, realising that their child has not yet grasped an important lesson they are trying to teach him/her. We might excuse him if he rolled his eyes to Heaven and cried, “Will they ever learn?” When he thought about it, he might have smiled to himself, then started over, teaching them yet again that following him is not about success, or being noticed, or power, or wealth but about service, being aware of the needs of others, reaching out in compassion to all in need. (“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve…”)
Then, to compound the mistake of James and John, the others somehow hear what they asked, and boy, are they outraged! “Who do they think they are?” they must have muttered, indignation rippling through them. Did they confront the two or just speak among themselves, tension and animosity building in them? Again, we don’t know, but we do know that, like a patient parent or teacher, Jesus gathers them together to resolve the conflict and gently bring them back to their Mission. It would only be a short while later, at the Last Supper, that he finally showed them the full extent of the service he was calling them to, when he strips and humbly washes their feet.
The story itself is a wonderfully human one, a story of misunderstandings, pride, conflict, and resolution. It is a story all of us can identify with; as the two brothers, the other ten or Jesus – probably all three if we are honest.
It is also a call to us. Just as Jesus spoke to them on those dusty roads of Galilee, he speaks to us today. “You must not seek power and authority. That is not to happen among you… Because the Son of man himself did not come to be served but to serve.” It was important and relevant when they heard it. It is equally important and relevant that we hear it, and not just hear it, but … .. .. (you finish it.)
(This has been my first attempt at a reflection so be patient with me. No doubt Br. Michael, like Jesus, is rolling his eyes to Heaven and saying, “will he ever learn?” As I finished last week, “I will try”!)
Brian Maher OMI
Fr Brian is Director of Oblate Partners in Mission and is based in Quex Road, Kilburn.
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please feel free to send an email to Brian at b.maher@oblates.ie.
| Gospel Reading Sunday October 17th | Mark 10:35-45 © |
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