Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - Wednesday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[Sir 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17 and Mark 10:32-45]The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him.....
On three separate occasions in the Gospel of Mark (8:31, 9:30 and 10:32) Jesus tries to warn the disciples about the fate that lies in store for him. On each occasion, the disciples do not understand. Jesus has to try to instruct them and correct their notions of the "kingdom." The fear and amazement reported in today's gospel appear to be caused by Jesus' resolution to go up to Jerusalem to meet a terrible end. Of course, the evangelist is telling the story many years later and knowing the end of the story does have a tendency to color how one tells the rest.
Ultimately the disciples understand once Jesus has been crucified and has risen from the dead. Everything he says before that happens must, in the Gospel of Mark, be interpreted in the light of the Jerusalem events. In many great Renaissance paintings of the crucifixion, the patron of the particular piece is included in the group at the foot of the cross and seems to be in "conversation" with the others. Can we place ourselves in the scene and remember what he said earlier? Do we truly understand what faith in Jesus can mean? What kind of "kingdom" are we expecting? James and John were part of that fearful group but they were still hoping for a special place "in your glory." Today's gospel may put us in the position of needing further instruction! AMEN