September 23, 2018 Sunday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time-B

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20

Psalm 54

James 3:16—4:3

Mark 9:30-37

But they remained silent.  Mk. 9:34

Lord, your disciples didn’t get it when you informed them of your suffering, death and resurrection to come.  On top of that they were afraid to ask you about it.  Suffering and death are hard things to deal with so it’s understandable they didn’t want to talk about it.  And the resurrection part was beyond them as well.  When you caught them arguing about which of them would be given the highest and most important role in your kingdom they became silent again.  The whole idea of servant leadership escaped them.  Lord, if you had addressed these words to me I’d probably be speechless too.  I have read and heard how you gave yourself completely for the sake of mankind.  You led them to Calvary but again they were silent when you hung on the cross.  What can I say?  You summed it all up by telling them: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”  Lord, please help me to be ready to be last and to be a servant for you.  May I answer on the day you call and not be silent.  Amen