Wednesday of the 8th week in Ordinary Time
Readings of the day: Sirach 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17; Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Mark 10:32-45
This homily was given at Bethany House, a shelter for homeless women and children and a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Rochester, NY.
Have any of us ever loved in a way that defies logic; understanding; explanation? Have we ever loved somebody so deeply and yet said or done something, maybe even well-meaning, at the wrong place or the wrong time?
This, I think, is the experience of Jesus’ Apostles James and John in our Gospel reading today. It is clear from Mark’s Gospel that Jesus’ disciples love him. But they become especially confused in their love for Jesus as Jesus is about to complete his journey to Jerusalem. Today’s Gospel reading describes Jesus’ disciples as both “amazed” and “afraid.”
What were the disciples thinking and feeling as Jesus neared Jerusalem? Perhaps they were “amazed” at his teaching; his works of mercy; of healing; his miracles that they had witnessed while accompanying Jesus in his public life. But might they have asked themselves, “What good will our Lord’s going to Jerusalem bring? We believe he is our hoped-for Messiah. We love him. He has many friends, but also many enemies. Will his life be in danger in Jerusalem?”
And then Jesus confirms the worst fears of his disciples: In Jerusalem he will be mocked, spit upon, scourged, and put to death. It is no wonder that Jesus’ disciples are “afraid”! In their fear the Apostles James and John make a request of Jesus that, on the one hand, sounds extremely self- serving. “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left,” James and John ask Jesus. On the other hand, we could understand James’ and John’s request for a share in Jesus’ glory as well-meaning. James and John love Jesus. They have been with him throughout his public life and ministry. They are now faced with the prospect of his death in Jerusalem. Their request for a share in Jesus’ heavenly glory, then, is borne out of fear and confusion. Might they be speaking the words that Jesus’ other disciples are all feeling? They are “amazed” and yet “afraid.”
Jesus recognizes that his disciples love him and one another. He corrects James and John, and any disciple who sees in following Jesus an opportunity for personal glory or power over others. “You know that” the “rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them… But it shall not be so among you,” Jesus says to his disciples.
But even this correction is gentle. By it Jesus refines the love his disciples have for him and one another. Their love has one well-meaning goal: A share in Jesus’ own eternal glory. But their love; our love is in need of refinement to accept a share in Jesus’ cross if we are to have a share in his resurrection.
I have confidence that we, like Jesus’ first disciples, love Jesus and one another. And yet are we willing to accept in faith Jesus’ refinement of our love so that our love continues to grow, to be ever more other-serving and God-serving than self-serving; to accept our both share in Christ’s suffering; his cross and in his resurrection; his glory that we are promised? If we are willing to accept this and to pray for this, then Jesus will purify; perfect our love for him and for one another in the way he did for and with his first disciples.
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