First Reading - Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11
Gospel - Mark 9:30-37
The first reading, from the Book of Qoheleth, reminds us of few important things: suffering, patience, and sincerity. The question of suffering occurs for those who wish to serve the Lord. That means to serve the Lord entails suffering. Suffering, the passage reminds, should not be seen as punishment or scandal but is to be seen as a way through which patience and steadfastness (sincerity or faithfulness) of a person are tested. The passage also proposes guidance, when a person undergoes pains and struggles, that is to have trust in God and in His mercy. The assurance of the passage is that God's mercy will certainly shine on the person who trusts in the Lord and he/she will be rewarded for it. The passage vividly mentions the examples of the great men in the Bible who were tested (Abraham and Job) but when they remained steadfast, they were rewarded for their steadfastness.
In the gospel, we see Jesus was returning to Capernaum after journeying incognito through the Northern Province of Galilee, avoiding crowds and teaching the apostles. Mark presents Jesus as giving three predictions about His coming suffering and death in chapters, 8, 9 and 10. The response by Jesus’ disciples is a disappointment, because they were dreaming of a political messiah who would usher in an earthly kingdom. Today’s passage also describes what happens when Jesus returns to Peter’s house in Capernaum and explains to the apostles what true greatness is. Jesus says that people who serve humbly are the greatest. He uses a play on an Aramaic word that can mean either servant or child. Presenting a child before them, Jesus explains that one who wishes to be the first among them must be a servant to all. True greatness consists in serving one’s fellow men and is never self-centered. It lies in the ability to see and respond to the needs of others, and it presupposes compassion and sympathy particularly for the strangers and needy. Hence, the two conditions of true greatness, as cited by Jesus, include humility and service.
Dear friends, both the readings of today remind us about 'serving'. The first reading reminds us that to serve the Lord entails challenges or tests. It requires trust and confidence in God which is manifested by patience and steadfastness of a person. Sufferings and pains are inevitable in life but to be able to sail through them requires spiritual strength of faith and confidence in God. Our faith in God will show in our patience and steadfastness to endure everything. The reading assures a great reward for it.
The gospel passage reminds us that we are to serve one another. To serve one another requires humility. Jesus also marks it that our service to one another should not be for any ulterior motive but a gesture of selfless love. The quality to serve one another also includes our ability to see the needs of others and attend to it. Jesus qualifies the quality of selfless service as the recognition of greatness of a person.
Let's pray that we may be able to serve God and one another.
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