Thoughts for Sunday October 18
My Dear People,
The scene in today’s Gospel is familiar. Jesus is teaching his disciples about his suffering and death. James and John don’t get it. They ask for positions of honor in his kingdom. The other ten don’t get it either. They are indignant at James and John. Perhaps their indignation is more about being out jockeyed than it is about zeal for service.
I for one would have to confess that I’m often like the ten. My indignation at those who seek power is more due to my own desire for power than it is my zeal for the right way of exercising power.
As I read the excellent commentary on Mark by Francis J. Moloney, there was an “aha” moment. Moloney says, “Jesus does not abandon the failing sons of Zebedee, but instructs them.” I have usually read that Gospel passage with a high dose of criticism for James and John and for the ten. I’ve read it with a high dose of criticism for bishops and other leaders who, in my humble opinion, “Don't get it.” I’ve read it as a rejection of them. So Moloney’s words that “Jesus does not abandon the failing sons of Zebedee, but instructs them” opened my eyes to a different way of reading the text.
Jesus is forever the teacher who teaches by example and not as a distant lawgiver. He does not abandon us when we fail. Our failure is the opportunity for him to teach us. He does not teach us in a theoretical way. He asks us to follow him.
I for one an extremely distressed by the increasing polarization of our society, by the hate filled tone of much of our public discussion. I am distressed by leaders who do not serve the people but seem to serve themselves. I am distressed by the jockeying for position that I see around me. I am tempted to reject and to condemn.
Jesus does not abandon us when we fail, but instructs us. He instructs us by example. He asks us to follow him. I’ve struggled to accept that about myself. Jesus does not abandon me when I fail. I’ve struggled more to accept that about others. Jesus does not abandon them when they fail.
Jesus does not abandon, but instructs. He instructs by asking us to follow him. Perhaps my reaction of indignation at others should be channelled more into allowing myself to be instructed and hear the challenge to follow Jesus.
Love,
Fr. Larry
The scene in today’s Gospel is familiar. Jesus is teaching his disciples about his suffering and death. James and John don’t get it. They ask for positions of honor in his kingdom. The other ten don’t get it either. They are indignant at James and John. Perhaps their indignation is more about being out jockeyed than it is about zeal for service.
I for one would have to confess that I’m often like the ten. My indignation at those who seek power is more due to my own desire for power than it is my zeal for the right way of exercising power.
As I read the excellent commentary on Mark by Francis J. Moloney, there was an “aha” moment. Moloney says, “Jesus does not abandon the failing sons of Zebedee, but instructs them.” I have usually read that Gospel passage with a high dose of criticism for James and John and for the ten. I’ve read it with a high dose of criticism for bishops and other leaders who, in my humble opinion, “Don't get it.” I’ve read it as a rejection of them. So Moloney’s words that “Jesus does not abandon the failing sons of Zebedee, but instructs them” opened my eyes to a different way of reading the text.
Jesus is forever the teacher who teaches by example and not as a distant lawgiver. He does not abandon us when we fail. Our failure is the opportunity for him to teach us. He does not teach us in a theoretical way. He asks us to follow him.
I for one an extremely distressed by the increasing polarization of our society, by the hate filled tone of much of our public discussion. I am distressed by leaders who do not serve the people but seem to serve themselves. I am distressed by the jockeying for position that I see around me. I am tempted to reject and to condemn.
Jesus does not abandon us when we fail, but instructs us. He instructs us by example. He asks us to follow him. I’ve struggled to accept that about myself. Jesus does not abandon me when I fail. I’ve struggled more to accept that about others. Jesus does not abandon them when they fail.
Jesus does not abandon, but instructs. He instructs by asking us to follow him. Perhaps my reaction of indignation at others should be channelled more into allowing myself to be instructed and hear the challenge to follow Jesus.
Love,
Fr. Larry
posted by Fr. Larry Voelker at
7:25 AM
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