Catechism Links [1]
CCC 539, 565, 600-605, 713: Christ, obedient Servant of God
CCC 786: to serve is to reign
CCC 1547, 1551: priestly ministry as service
CCC 2538-2540: the sin of envy
CCC 2302-2306: safeguarding peace
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| “St. James” by Andrea Del Sarto, 1528-29 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Commentary on Wis 2:12, 17-20
In this passage from Wisdom we see scripture usually associated with the Passion of the Lord. It draws heavily on imagery from the “suffering servant” in Isaiah (Isaiah 52-66). The motives and feelings of those who oppose God are laid bare in clear language as is their reaction to one who comes from God.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8
R. (6b)The Lord upholds my life.
Commentary on Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8
Psalm 54 is an individual lament. The psalmist first cries out to the Lord for help against a godless enemy. In the second part, praise and sacrifice are offered as a consequence of the salvation confidently expected.
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Reading II:
Commentary on Jas 3:16-4:3
This passage is part of a discussion about “true Wisdom” and is linked to a broader discussion about teaching. The selection begins with a warning against Jealousy and selfish pride. These are also part of the list of vices recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:20. This is followed by St. James synthesis of Christina wisdom capturing parts of the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) and from the teaching of St. Paul (Galatians 5:22-23).
In the second part of the passage St. James takes up issues resulting from failing to adopt Christian wisdom. “The concern here is with the origin of conflicts in the Christian community. These are occasioned by love of the world, which means enmity with God (4). Further, the conflicts are bound up with failure to pray properly (cf Matthew 7:7-11; John 14:13; 15:7; 16:23), that is, not asking God at all or using God's kindness only for one's pleasure.”[5]
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Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Commentary on Mk 9:30-37
This selection describes Jesus’ interaction with the disciples following the cure of the boy with the Mute Spirit. Jesus and his disciples continue their journey through Galilee and he teaches them in private about what is to come giving them the second prediction of the passion.
While the disciples clearly understand the Lord is to leave them, they do not yet grasp the nature of his mission as they are arguing about who among them will be greatest once victory is achieved. The Lord sees this in them and when they don’t respond to his direct question he gives them the example of first a servant and then a child so they can understand that it is through humility and innocence that God’s servants lead. Jesus tells them directly that their role (and by extension the role of all Christian disciples) is one of service. He probably uses the example of Children to represent the “anawim”; the poor in spirit, the most vulnerable of the Christian faithful.
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Reflection:
In a recent slide show about a missionary trip to Africa, the presenter went through a couple of pictures taken in Kenya
Who among us would not reach out to such as these to try to help? We use this question today because it is part of the analogy the Lord uses in St. Mark’s Gospel. Each day we encounter those who have lost their Heavenly Father. They have become the poor children, bereft of hope for salvation, having lost the means for their eternal survival.
In most cases we walk on by these “poor in spirit”. We feel we cannot help those who do not want to be helped and we accept their situation, one they willingly embrace. Why do they not see that they are orphans? Are they so blind that they do not understand that faith in God is something they desperately need? If we ask most of them they will say they are spiritual people and do not need “church” or organized religion of any sort. They believe they will get the reward of the “good person” when they come face to face with death.
As disciples of Jesus we are called to reach out to such as these. We are asked to lead them back to the Lord if we are able. We are told most eloquently today that the way we must do this is by serving these people with compassion, consolation, and love. We cannot argue them into belief for the most part. They have to come to understand that there is something important missing in their lives; something they need and can find only through faith.
The understanding presented in sacred scripture of the servant heart of discipleship is at the core of Christian wisdom and leadership. We pray today that we might find the strength to lead others to Christ and the means with which to show the “orphaned children” the home of their heavenly parent is open to them.
Pax
In other years: September 20 – Memorial for Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest and Martyr, and Saint Paul Chong Hasang, Catechist and Martyr, and their Companions, Martyrs
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] S.S Commemoratio
[3] The picture is “St. James” by Andrea Del Sarto, 1528-29
[5] See NAB footnote on James 4:1-12
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