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Scripture Readings
First Isaiah 53:10-11
Second Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45
1. Subject Matter
• True greatness has been a theme present in the liturgy for the past month. The disciples –
particularly those who are closest to him – continue to miss the point. The choice to suffer in
accord with God’s will and to place oneself in a position of service leads to life and fulfillment.
2. Exegetical Notes
• First Reading: A shocking first line: “God was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” But this is
offset by the realization that this suffering is not in vain. In fact, it is through that suffering that
a nation is redeemed and made whole.
• Also present in the first reading are two important points concerning God’s relationship to his
chosen people. First, it is the “will of the Lord” that all of this is accomplished. That is, in spite
of darkness and seeming defeat, it is God’s will that victory should result. Second, the
suffering servant is innocent, but is always willing to be reckoned as a brother among the
sorrowful and suffering.
• Second Reading: Jesus Christ, the great high priest, is greater than any of the other priests
who preceded him. This high priest – the suffering servant we have been considering for the
past few weeks in Isaiah – knows what it is to associate with the pain-stricken and the lowly.
Now, in Christ, the priest and the sacrifice offered are one and the same. This example of
love and mercy should be a source of confidence for all believers, beset as they are by their
own afflictions.
• Gospel: Having just predicted his Passion for the third time, Christ’s words concerning his
salvific death fell on uncomprehending ears.
• Can you drink the cup that I drink? Their answer – we can – is full of irony considering their
subsequent cowardice during the passion, although James was later martyred (cf. JBC).
Many believers will be able to find themselves in the position of James and John: an initial
zealous profession of faith and willingness to give all to Christ; an abandonment and turning
away from Christ in times of temptation and trial; ultimate conformity to his will and an
acceptance of the crosses in their lives.
• Authority, commonly understood, falls to the strongest man in the company. Jesus turns this
on its head. It is not the weakest who will be the greatest, but the one who claims for himself
the lowest rank, wanting nothing more than to serve his brothers, even those who are lesser
than him in the ordinary reckoning of things. The one who does this aligns himself with
Christ, who – Son though he was – same and offered the same service. This alignment will
entitle the believer to share in Christ’s eternal reward.
• “I urge you to deepen your friendship with Jesus the Good Shepherd. Talk heart to heart with
him. Reject any temptation to ostentation, careerism, or conceit. Strive for a pattern of life
truly marked by charity, chastity and humility, in imitation of Christ, the Eternal High Priest . . .
Remember that what counts before the Lord is to dwell in his love and to make his love shine
forth for others.
• "God has so loved us that he gave himself up for us: This is the message of the Cross,
'mystery of death and of glory.' The cross reminds us that there is no true love without
suffering, there is no gift of life without pain.”
• The Via Crucis to Calvary that we walked with Jesus in the Sacred Triduum has become the
comforting Via Lucis [way of light]. Seen from the Resurrection we can say that this way of
suffering is a path of light and spiritual renewal, of inner peace and firm hope.
7. Other Considerations
• Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. “This is the final form of
unacceptable prayer. It was sincere; it was earnest; it was wrong. James and John were
asking Jesus to fit into their plans. They had no concern at the moment over fitting into his
plans. Prayer is always unacceptable when it says to God, You do whatever I want. Christian
prayer says rather with Jesus, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” (The Interpreter’s Bible).
• What do you wish me to do for you? “This was a question often on Jesus lips. He sometimes
asked it before healing a person . . .. It is never a superfluous question. For a man clearly to
define exactly what it is that he wants is always important. It enables – it often compels – him
to explore and discover what his real desires are” (Ibid).
Recommended Resources
Jerome Biblical Commentary
Cameron, Peter John. To Praise, To Bless, To Preach.
Pope Benedict XVI, Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI.