Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The liturgy of this Sunday opens with the words of the antiphon: “To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me” (Ps 17(16):6,8). In the context of our readings today, this is surely a prayer found on the lips of Jesus, the suffering servant described in our first reading from Isaiah 53:10-11. The servant who, “through his suffering shall justify many,” prays for the strength and protection to endure the trials by which “the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.”
This leads us to the passage from St. Mark’s gospel which relates the attempt of James and John to maneuver places of honor in the kingdom (Mark 10:35-45). Jesus sets their scheming straight in an instant: “whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.” Both the gospel acclamation and communion antiphon further expand on this message: “The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). The message is clear. If we wish to be disciples of Christ, we must share in the same cup of suffering and the same selfless service to others.
We are presented with the image of Christ as the triumphant and compassionate high priest in the second reading from Hebrews 4:14-16. Having completely identified with human weakness and temptation and triumphed through his resurrection, he now intercedes for us in heaven as we struggle to follow in his footsteps. We turn to him for assistance and strength. The words of the responsorial psalm refrain summarize our confident plea to our heavenly intercessor: “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you” (Ps 33(32):22).
Prayer for today: Lord, accomplish your will through me today as I place my trust in you.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections