Homily [2] 29th Sunday of Year B: Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Isa
53:10-11; Heb 4:14-16 and Mark 10:35-45
It would be recalled
that it was John F. Kennedy, one of the American’s Presidents who once said, “Think
of what you can do for America not what America can do for you.” We could see
Kennedy’s speech in today’s bible lessons. Scripture presents us today with the
paradox of the suffering servants of God, Christ, the great high priest and the
Son of man who invites us to think of what we can always do for our neighbors, subjects
and not what our neighbors and subjects or parishioners can always do for us!
We heard in the 1st
reading-- the 4th song of the Suffering servant of God (Isaiah
53:10-11), the sufferings of the servant of God. Here the servant was punished, tortured, slapped,
and mocked. But, because he bore the pains, the injuries, and the sufferings
patiently, he was paradoxically exalted and lifted up by God, his Father. Most
importantly, the servant bore these sufferings in service for others. He gave
it all, even his life. Also through the servants’ suffering many sinners shall
be justified, their guilt shall be forgiven. The descendants and neighbors of
the suffering servant shall prospers.
In the 2nd reading, the Letter to
the Hebrews, unlike the Levitical high priests in the Book of Leviticus who
offered sacrifices on his behalf, as a sinner, and on behalf of his community,
the servant is of course, the sinless Christ and the compassionate high priest
who offers himself completely for others. How many of us can offer ourselves
completely for others! How many brothers can offer themselves completely for their
fellow brother? How many sisters can offer themselves for their fellow sister?
What about husband and wives, children and parents, grandpa and grandchildren
like this high priest?
This high priest is the
same Son of man in today’s Gospel (Mark
10:35) who came to give his life as a ransom for many and who was in the first
place completely misunderstood by the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. We
are told, they came to Jesus asking for position of honor in Jesus' glory. They
thought, if James sits on the right, John can sit on the left. Very parochial.
Very Clannish. Others might characterize them as selfish, ambitious
individuals, focusing mainly on themselves and on what others might do for
them, rather than seeking what they can do for others-- like the suffering
servants of today’s readings. They also seems to be narrow minded, insensitive,
petty, and unsure of themselves and short sighted! Completely the opposite of
the giving and generous life style of the suffering servant!
The life style of the suffering servant, the
great high priest, and the son of man in today’s readings challenges everyone. It challenges us to see Christian suffering in light of Christ's exaltation.
It challenges those elected leaders who selfishly and constantly serve
themselves rather than the community that elected them in the first place. It also challenges particularly, those religious communities, leaders, families, counties, states and nations who
constantly seek for what others can do for them rather than what they can do to
help their neighbors, subjects, parishes, dioceses- especially the poor, the sick, the aged and their less privileged
neighbors- that Pope Francis has constantly place in front, back and center of
his papacy!
Of course, the
exalting- giving of oneself that the suffering servant reminds us of today may
not necessarily be limited to material giving, but spiritual. Our prayers, our
precious pastoral time, our infectious smiles, our generous compassion, our faithful and
faith-filled presence, our positive body languages, our sincere love, and
pieces of parental advice, can go a long way to strengthen our families, children,
neighborhood, churches and societies at large!
