The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

October 20, 2024 – Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mark 10:35-45

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We now label as saints the faithful apostles that followed Jesus. But like most saints, they had moments that they didn’t act in a virtuous way. Even in what might be called “sinful” ways. Like the time recorded in today’s gospel when two of them, James and John (sometimes called “the sons of thunder”) asked Jesus to put them on either side of him in whatever high places of honor were to be created in the Kingdom of God. Mark does not mention the look on the face of Jesus when he heard their request.

But he did give them clear guidance on what he would require for gaining “status” in God’s world. For instance, instead of taking a position at the front of the line, they should move to the very back.  Instead of giving orders to everyone else, they should be receptive to take orders from all. Instead of receiving abundance from others, they should give of their abundance to others. Instead of seeking high places of honor, they should seek the lowest. Mark does not mention the look of their faces when they heard what Jesus taught.

One of the primary themes of Mark’s gospel was to correct certain misleading views about the expected messianic times. For instance, there were hopes that the Messiah would return Israel to greatness, much like it was imagined during the good times when King David ruled. One of my New Testament professors enjoyed saying it was like being promised two new cars in every garage and a swimming pool in the back yard. We got the point. Or as one politician once proclaimed that if elected he would guarantee “a chicken in every pot.”

So, Mark intentionally composed his gospel with a much different set of values that mostly reversed the selfish attitudes of that time. Of course, it all culminated in the terrible suffering and death of Jesus, an event that overshadows Mark’s writings.

It must be admitted that we live in a media-driven world that at times virtually worships celebrities in the entertainment and sports world. A few seem to take this all very seriously, but many see it for what it is, a rather superficial creation that can be fun but should not be taken too seriously.

Obviously Jesus was not seeking celebrity status. As today’s gospel clearly states: he came to serve others not to be served by them. This gospel is an invitation for all of us to ask ourselves about our values and ideals. Are they like those of Jesus?  

David M. Thomas, PhD