His life as a ransom for many

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Pt 1:18-25; Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20; Mk 10:32-45

Summary

They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Christian leadership is hard work. Life changing, wealth depleting, and even martyrdom. Even still it is hard to shake off the self-interest of power and position. Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.

The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.

This servant leadership question is bracketed by two blind man miracles and closely inside that two of the three Predictions of the Passion.

• The Blind Man of Bethsaida (Mark 8).
• The First Prediction of the Passion (Mark 8).
• The Second Prediction of the Passion (Mark 9).
• Ambition of James and John (Mark 10).
• The Third Prediction of the Passion (Mark 10).
• The Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10).

Reflection

There is no denying that The Way in Leadership is very challenging.

Personal Reflection

Where do I want to sit in heaven? I just want to get to heaven! That would be enough!! Ambition is in ignorance (feigned or actual) the blindness of men and the passion purpose. Once the disciples understood (no longer blind) the stark serious nature of salvation is made clear and discipleship is not of power but of surrender.

First Reading

Beloved: Realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct.

Responsorial

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Gospel Acclamation

The Son of Man came to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Gospel

Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, 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.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry