Texts taken from the “On Your Word” Daily Missal September-October 2021

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
1st week of the Psalter

FIRST READING

From the book of the prophet Isaiah (Is 53:10-11)
The Lord was pleased to crush him with suffering. When he makes himself an offering for sin, he will see his descendants, he will live a long life, and the will of the Lord will be accomplished through him. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied by his knowledge; my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the first reading

Who is this servant? Before examining the passage, it is appropriate to consider the text in which Isaiah’s passage appears. In the preceding chapters, the “servant” refers to the people of Israel. Thus, in the Old Testament, the servant of the Lord is to be identified with the people of Israel personified as though they were a single individual. The servant Isaiah speaks of in this passage must be understood as referring to the future king, that is, the Messiah. In his plan of salvation, God sends his Son Jesus to take upon himself all the evil in the world; Jesus is the servant who carried our sufferings, who bore our pain, the one who offered himself as an offering for the reparation of our sins. Today, those who wish to follow Jesus are asked to undertake a journey to become servants of the Lord, called to his service. We are called to combat evil with good; called to intercede like Jesus, because he interceded for us; called to give our lives without expecting anything in return; called to imitate him, to love and serve our brothers and sisters, “paying the price personally,” as he did.

SECOND READING

From the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb 4:14-16)
Brothers and sisters, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to our profession of faith. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses: he himself was tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with complete confidence to receive mercy and find grace, so that we may be helped at the appropriate time. The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the second reading

We have a high priest who shares in our weaknesses. Life is not always easy; we must face battles, some of which will cause us suffering and painful experiences. We must realize that we have a Savior to whom we can entrust ourselves and turn in times of need. Let us then open our hearts to Jesus, because only he can help us resolve everything; he alone will help us overcome certain difficult passages; he understands our despair, our illnesses, and our weaknesses, because as a man, he was tempted in every way without ever sinning; he has shown us the way and tells us which direction we must take. All this should encourage us because, if we follow him, we are traveling a path already worn smooth and therefore less difficult. Jesus, strengthen our faith and forgive us if at certain moments we are afraid of your gaze and your Word, because they reveal the illnesses of our hearts and minds. Jesus, you who share in our weaknesses, heal us so that we may resume walking with you and toward you.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Mark (Mk 10:35-45)
At that time, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” They replied, “Grant us to sit, in your glory, one at your right and one at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They replied, “We can.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized. But to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to grant; it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the other ten heard this, they began to grow indignant at James and John. Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their leaders oppress them. But it shall not be so among you; rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you will be 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.” The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

To understand the significance of this passage, it is necessary to place it in context. Jesus and his disciples are walking along the road that leads to Jerusalem. Along the way, he warns them of the painful fate he will have to face and, with him, those who follow him. Faced with this announcement, fear and recklessness take hold. “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you”: James and John ask for the places of honor when they are in the kingdom of God. Is this not what still happens today? Are we not reckless as well? How many times do we relate to God in the same way as the two disciples? We pray, but most of the time a request follows the prayer: “God, please do what I asked you.” In short, what we want is an “obedient” God, a God who immediately carries out our will. Precisely the opposite of the prayer of the Our Father: not “your will be done,” but “mine.” Then, secretly, we add a little blackmail: “If you really love me.” Jesus explains to us that if we want to be “great,” we must be humble and servants to one another; because he did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life for everyone.