September 22, 2024: Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47,48

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Reflection

“And they remained silent.” No wonder they remained silent! While Jesus was teaching them about being handed over to those who would kill him, the disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest! What a contrast! So, Jesus tries to spell out more clearly for them just what following him means. “Whoever wishes to be first must be the last of all and the servant of all.” This was how Jesus lived his life; his followers must do likewise.

Action

Take time each morning this week, before your day begins, to identify possible opportunities that day for you to be “servant” to others. By biblical definition, “a servant is one who lives to benefit another person — they sacrifice for someone else’s joy or fulfillment.” Take stock of your “success” at the end of the day.