From the Priests' Desk

October 20, 2024

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we hear how the prophecy of Isaiah describes the reason for the passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: “through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.” (Is 53:11) According to this reading we see the reason for Jesus’ suffering, and ours as well. The sufferings of Jesus on the Cross brought us salvation, the forgiveness of sins.

We know from the letters of St. Paul that the wage of sin is death, and death brings painful sacrifice and suffering. Therefore, there is a close relationship between these, sin, painful sacrifice, suffering and death. But, if God did everything right, where did sin come from? If we can describe God as love itself, then we could understand that this fully unconditional love carries the greatest risk of freedom in love, freedom that includes the option to say “NO,” the option of disobedience. And it is precisely here where sin begins; lack of trust in the Father's promises leads us to disobedience. And from here, like a twisted chain, all other sins quickly follow.

So, it is not surprising that James and John ask for a place of honor above everyone else, representing us all, driven by the need for power and control. We want the best for ourselves; later we will see what is left for others. This is an innate human need, the fruit of concupiscence. It is good that Jesus quickly puts his disciples in their place and teaches them the lesson of true leadership. A leader is not someone who is first in line, abusing others, demanding what he himself is not willing to exemplify.

What does Jesus say to correct them? “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) James learned this lesson well, and later wrote in his letter: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3) So the Lord, who came to save us and to give us the model of life, lived and suffered everything that any normal human lives and suffers, of course without falling into sin. He has this life experience to heal and sanctify our existence and show us the way home to the Father. He rightly tells us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Today is a good day to ask the Lord, when we receive Him in the Eucharist, to give us the gift of knowing how to ask for what we really need; and at the same time, ask Him for the strength and humility necessary to accept His gifts and His plan of life for us. Finally, let us ask Him for the gift of perseverance so that we do not falter on the way and continue steadfast in our work of service to God and to our neighbor, according to His divine plan of salvation.

Dcn. Manuel Rivas