Fr. Joeven Matugas sx
Jesus is the Son of God, a virtuous man who annoys us and opposes our way of life (Wis 2:12-20). He is the wisdom that comes down from heaven and essentially pure – makes for peace, kind, considerate, full of compassion and no partiality in him (James 3:16-4:3). That such is our Lord.
In today’s Gospel story (Mk. 9:30-37), Jesus talked to his disciples about the prediction of his incoming death and resurrection. In which, his disciples did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him. The Twelve on the way were arguing and disputing themselves who will take the order of precedence. They asked, “who will be the greatest among them”? Jesus answered them by using the paradox of reversal. Anyone who wants to be first must be the last of all and servant of all”.
Indeed, the teaching of Jesus is tough to understand and challenging to live. It is counter-cultural. It confronts our mindsets, cultural values and views of living. It opposes us and annoys us as book of Wisdom says. Even the Twelve failed to respond his teachings and more so unsuccessful to follow and lived them.
The encounter of our Christian life today is to serve selflessly. The disciple must be the servant of all. In time of this modernity, many will feel that Jesus teaching is irrelevant to the world where we lived. The values of the gospel opposed consumeristic society: profits, popularity, personal freedom, self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking. The concept of service in the context of Jesus teaching is no longer there. To serve Jesus, to be his disciples involved humility at the utmost cost. The leader must be a servant.
Yet, we have a Lord that is a wisdom from above. He sets us free from our personal ambitions and wicked ways. He loves us with so much love that he wills us to follow him faithfully. Our “way” to him leads us to the Cross and his Glorious Reign from the dead to Heaven.
As a people transformed by him, we are ready to give up our own ways and put our life into his loving presence and memory. We are the people that yearns to see him face to face in order for us to carry out the task entrusted to us. To be a good and virtuous servant and a fulfilled disciple in his name.
Jesus is the Son of God, a virtuous man who annoys us and opposes our way of life (Wis 2:12-20). He is the wisdom that comes down from heaven and essentially pure – makes for peace, kind, considerate, full of compassion and no partiality in him (James 3:16-4:3). That such is our Lord.
In today’s Gospel story (Mk. 9:30-37), Jesus talked to his disciples about the prediction of his incoming death and resurrection. In which, his disciples did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him. The Twelve on the way were arguing and disputing themselves who will take the order of precedence. They asked, “who will be the greatest among them”? Jesus answered them by using the paradox of reversal. Anyone who wants to be first must be the last of all and servant of all”.
Indeed, the teaching of Jesus is tough to understand and challenging to live. It is counter-cultural. It confronts our mindsets, cultural values and views of living. It opposes us and annoys us as book of Wisdom says. Even the Twelve failed to respond his teachings and more so unsuccessful to follow and lived them.
The encounter of our Christian life today is to serve selflessly. The disciple must be the servant of all. In time of this modernity, many will feel that Jesus teaching is irrelevant to the world where we lived. The values of the gospel opposed consumeristic society: profits, popularity, personal freedom, self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking. The concept of service in the context of Jesus teaching is no longer there. To serve Jesus, to be his disciples involved humility at the utmost cost. The leader must be a servant.
Yet, we have a Lord that is a wisdom from above. He sets us free from our personal ambitions and wicked ways. He loves us with so much love that he wills us to follow him faithfully. Our “way” to him leads us to the Cross and his Glorious Reign from the dead to Heaven.
As a people transformed by him, we are ready to give up our own ways and put our life into his loving presence and memory. We are the people that yearns to see him face to face in order for us to carry out the task entrusted to us. To be a good and virtuous servant and a fulfilled disciple in his name.