Reflection for 29th Sunday, October 17, 2021

Reflection for  29^th Sunday,  October 17, 2021
 
Isaiah 53:10-11: This passage features God, Himself as the speaker, increasing the passage’s    seriousness and impact upon the listener. God speaks of His servant, the prophet Isaiah, and simultaneously foreshadows the coming of Jesus, as Messiah. The prophet, Isaiah, the Lord and any sacrificing servant, (such as we,) are all promised eternal  rewards if we obey the Law and conform ourselves to serving God’s Will. Suffering for the faith is appreciated as building virtue. Faithful servants who suffer for the faith are promised multiple graces, such as wisdom, a “clear vision” or spiritual insight and a happiness that transcends worldly stressors and cares. This week, we might consider contemplating how we can better conform ourselves to God’s Will for us. How do our lives need to change to better love and serve the Lord? How can we reach this transcendent happiness?
 
Psalm 33: “Lord, let Your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You.” This psalm is a serene hymn of thanksgiving and praise for the kindness, love and mercy of God. The psalmist proclaims that God is trustworthy, just, righteous and kind. The author offers us reassurance and encouragement to have faith that transcends the time between when this song was composed and our own time. We’re promised that God attends to and has tenderness for those who fear Him, obey His Commandments and hope in Him. Thus, again, we’re reassured that God will reward obedience, reverence and faithful confidence in His mercy and love. What are our obstacles to having faith and confidence in God’s mercy and love? With whom can we speak who will help us to overcome these struggles of faith?
 
Hebrews 4:14-16:  In addition to the two previous readings, St. Paul also offers words of encouragement and confidence in Jesus’ mercy, love and understanding. Paul emphasizes Jesus’ true humanity; recounting that Jesus understands the struggles we have with temptation. We’re reminded that   Jesus was fully human and tempted also; yet He never sinned. Because of His humanity, Jesus is able to have    compassion for us; fully understanding our human condition.
In view of this, Paul whole-heartedly encourages us to  approach Jesus with confidence in His mercy and love as we request graces and virtues necessary to overcome temptations, sins and our areas of spiritual brokenness. Paul shows how the divine priesthood of Jesus expresses a continuity with and fulfillment of the priesthoods of Old Testament religious leaders such as Moses and Aaron. Jesus is referred to as a “great high priest” to emphasize His superiority over the Jewish high priest. Through today’s readings, we’re reassured that our confident access to God is invited and made possible through the priestly sacrifices and ministry of Jesus and the Church. Do we appreciate God’s benevolence?
 
 
Mark 10:35-45: In today’s Gospel we see the divisive results of competition and greedy self-promotion among the disciples. James and John bluntly ask for favored positions near Jesus in the Heavenly kingdom. The ten other disciples were apparently, also prideful and competitive. We’re told that they “became indignant.” Becoming indignant indicates pride and a sense of entitlement. All of us are tempted by pride in some situation. Pride is an obstacle to all of us, in one way or another.
 
Jesus replies that Heavenly recognition or rewards require one’s willingness to sacrifice and suffer in this life. James and John agree to this. Then, Jesus overturns expectations by asking all who would like to be exalted, to exalt others; by serving them, humbly, lovingly and sincerely. Are we truly serving whole-heartedly?