The Suffering Servant...

The Liturgy of the Word for this Sunday shows us, in all of the readings, the high calling to which we, who aspire to be imitators of Christ, are summoned. The disciples in the Gospel story didn't get it, despite walking the dusty roads with Him and hearing Him speak time and time again. Philip said "Show us the Father"... Jesus asked him "have I been with you so long a time and you do not know me, Philip?". They were too busy jockeying for position. Servant leadership was something that they hadn't considered. Have we? All this clamoring for prosperity and demanding our rights rings a bit hollow compared to His example, doesn't it.

The reading from Isaiah proclaims the coming of the servant on whom would be poured the guilt of the world. The Psalms tell us of His justice and right, but also of his kindness and mercy. It echoes Isaiah's picture of the Father "If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him."... "have you not known me Philip?"

The reading from Hebrews shows us the great high priest, both offerer and offering, who sympathizes with our weakness, because He was tempted as we, and so much more. We are exhorted to hold fast to our confession, and to come boldy to the throne of Grace.

May the Lord Bless you this Sunday, as we remember Him. May the Holy Spirit reign in our hearts and teach us the meaning of the Word today.

Reading 1
Is 53:10-11

The LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness
of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

R. (22)Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.


Reading II
Heb 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.


Gospel
Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."