TO BECOME THE SERVANT OF ALL

XXV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Mark 9:30-37

On his “way through Galilee”, Jesus concentrated on instructing his disciples. And what was the instruction about? Jesus is intent on preparing the disciples for his passion and death. After Peter’s profession of faith, recognising Jesus as the Messiah (Mk 8:29), he made the first announcement of his impending death. Then, Peter could not believe his ears and remonstrated with Jesus, telling him that such an outcome was not fitting for the Messiah. Jesus had to put Peter in his place, using harsh words to rebuke him. 

In this Sunday’s passage, Mark tells us the Jesus kept time to be alone with his disciples and, for a second time, he speaks about his passion. This time, the disciples kept quiet. They were puzzled, since they could not accept such an outcome and did not dare to put any objection to Jesus’ premonition; so they kept quiet. Their ideals and their expectations were on the other side of the spectrum. In their wildest dreams, they imagined themselves in high positions, with power to rule and wealth to enjoy. So they quarrelled among themselves about “which of them was the greatest”. The dream of greatness was embedded in their hearts and in the hearts of the people of Israel. The Messiah was expected to come with power, wealth and glory. He would be the King of Israel ruling over the nations of the world, and the disciples would have a share in that. So Jesus “sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” The only way to be the first is to become the servant of all. A life spent at the service of others is the only life worthy of living. Then Jesus “took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me.”

A child is weak and fragile and depends on the others who have to care for him/ her. The parents, the family or the community must pay attention to the needs of a child. Left alone, a child will not survive. She cannot contribute to the welfare of the community; in fact, she is at the mercy of the community, and she may be ignored and abandoned. The disciples must be at the service of the poor, the weak, the oppressed, the sick and the suffering. Whenever we do that, we welcome Jesus. and we welcome the Father who sent Jesus to save us.