A Reflection for 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B).
Isaiah 53:10-11 – Hebrews 4:14-16 – Mark 10:35-45.

Dear brothers and sisters, the old controversy about ‘who was the greatest’ (cf. Lk 9:46) surfaces once again amongst the apostles in a different form. The desire for status and rank, or for position in the college of the apostles, was there as it is everywhere in the world. This time James and John, who were two of the three who belonged to the inner circle of Jesus, came to Him requesting favoured treatment from Him. What was the favour? To sit, one at his right and the other at his left in His glory (Mk 10:37). What a big political favour to ask! It was a way of putting themselves 1st and 2nd, and demote Peter to 3rd. Imagine such politicking going on in the presence of Jesus! You might recall that Christ’s disciples found themselves in this situation every time Jesus told them about His forthcoming death (which we discussed few Sundays ago). The desire for power blinded them, so much so that it seemed they didn’t feel the pain and the sufferings of Christ who knew exactly from the beginning what was going to happen to Him. This led Jesus to teach them about how to be a true leader after His example; how to be a true leader through selfless service for God and the good of others for His sake (cf. Jn 12:26).

When we look at the three readings together, we find them pointing us to Jesus who lived a selfless life in service of God and humanity, who wants us to lead the world as servants of the Cross – His cross. The last sentence of the Gospel reading puts this very clearly, coming from Jesus Christ Himself: For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Let us reflect briefly on Jesus’ leadership. The gospel of today began at Mark 10:35, but if we go back to v.32 when Jesus was walking towards Jerusalem, the Bible tells us that He was walking *ahead* of everyone and that those who were following behind Him were afraid. Why were they afraid? It is because, at the time, were Jesus to go to Jerusalem (the capital city, the political and administrative centre, the geographical focal point of the Jewish religion and the place of sacrifice for sin), His life would be under threat. He could preach more freely in Samaria (even though it was tension between Jews and Samaritans), and in-and-around the local districts, than in Jerusalem. Due to the uncertainty of what might happen if they were to go to Jerusalem, the followers were afraid. As one who leads as a servant, He was going ahead, ready to “take the first bullet for all who believe in Him”, and as God who knows the future, He informed them that He was the one who was going to suffer death there.

In v.33, Jesus shows Himself to be a leader who takes His disciples along with Him, step by step in everything taking place. He is like a leader whose works are not hidden from the people, but who is ready to joyfully, lovingly, patiently and painstakingly keep everyone in the loop, so that no one is lost except the one who chose to be lost (Jn 17:12).

In the 1st Reading, Isaiah prophesied about Him as the Suffering Servant, who by his suffering will justify many, taking their faults on himself. That was what Jesus told His disciples He was going to do, and that it was Jesus about whom Isaiah was prophesying. Jesus is the leader who is ready to take the fall to enable His followers to have life; the leader who became incarnate to die for us, to overcome death and to be with us always even unto the end of the world (Mt 28:20).

In the 2nd reading, the Letter of the Hebrews tells us why Jesus is capable of doing this for His followers. The reason is that He is a great high priest (v.14), the God-Man who feels our weakness and understands us. He is a sympathetic leader. This is exactly what was lacking in James and John, who were carried away by the desire for authority and position.

Brothers and sisters, as a correction to the disciples, Jesus said to them, This is not to happen among you (Mt 20:26). Sometimes we fall prey to the selfish instinct and attitude of ‘What’s in it for me?’. This message is also for us! Jesus warns against people who are motivated by their self-interest rather than by love and service. Jesus lived what He preached through obedience to God, serving others, and leading the way to the Cross. At the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and in so doing dramatized the importance of service. He calls us to do the same service for others, rather than seeking our own interest.

As adults, we are all involved in the exercise of authority in some shape or form, whether at home or in our place of work. We should always take the lead in obeying divine laws and in serving those around us rather than lording it over them, because authority is not there for the control of people but for the proper guidance of communities.

Finally, Christ was never looking out for His own interest but for our good; that is what His suffering flags up – selfless sacrifice and service to God and to our fellow man. Can you drink the cup that Christ drank? That’s what being a follower of Christ – a Christian – involves! Let us take up the Cross of Christ and take the lead. Amen.

Leading with the Cross of Christ