Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

There’s an imbalance when we are left standing before those sitting. It may be facing the boss at his desk or the principal in his office, or maybe it’s the judge seated up on his bench in the courtroom that we never expected to be in, or even the pastor of the church letting you know just what he expects from you. The seat that individual sits in proclaims their authority and that we’d better respect it. And the crazy thing is Jesus agrees. He tells us that we must observe all things whatsoever that the authorities tell us. Even after we heard the first reading, in which God gives the priests an ultimatum and basically condemns all of their actions, Jesus still comes back and tells us to follow their orders.

One thing you may have noticed in the Gospels, though, is that Jesus doesn’t often sit down. He continually travels around the country, spreading his Father’s Word, healing the sick, and seeking out the lost. He comes to all the people, that he might touch their hearts and be their servant. For the greatest among us is our servant, and no one exemplifies this better than Jesus. After all, servants don’t sit. Think about that. The servant stands to the side, dishing out the food, doing the yard work, or cleaning up the house. The servant dedicates his life to the master, just as Jesus devoted his life to the plans of the Father. Jesus had a claim to the throne of King David, ruler of all the people, never mind the Chair of Moses. Instead, he lowered himself, washing the feet of his disciples, and made himself servant of all people.

Reflection by Fr. Victor Schinstock, OSB