by Fr. Jose “Joesum” Sumampong, Jr.
October 17, 2021
Twenty Ninth Sunday in OT (B
)Isaiah 53: 10-11 / Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22 /
Hebrews 4: 14-16 / Mark 10: 35-45
TO DRINK HIS CUP IS TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE
Word: It is an animated scene Mark presents in today’s gospel. Imagine staging this scene like a drama director. You might have the disciples and Jesus seated around a dinner table, engaging in some mundane activity that absorbed his attention like playing cards. In the midst of this activity the two sons of Zebedee would approach to say, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” (Mk 10:35). Drawing another card, Jesus would then asked: “What do you wish (me) to do for you?” (Mk 10:36). The brothers, sensing the ripeness of the opportunity, would draw closer, one leaning over the other, as they state their request with boldness: They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left” (Mk 10:37).
Extending our imagined scenario, Jesus would not stop what he was doing. He’d play his cards and off-handedly comment by saying to them: “You do not know what you are asking” (Mk 10:38). Without looking , he would ask the two brothers, as if it were nothing of the life-and-death question that it is, “Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mk 10:38). The two then would fall over each other to eagerly assert: “We can!” (Mk 10:39). Now Jesus reveals that he has listened more intently and with greater interest than he let on. He looks the men square in the eyes and, with a smile and nodding head, he agrees: “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized” (Mk 10:39).
His eyes hold them for several moments sharing silent communion. Then, releasing them, he informs them that who sits where is not something that he can decide.
o0o
Order: In times of need, we sometime come to Jesus with a prayer-request that may unwittingly reveal our limited understanding of him. We can come to him, like the two strong-minded sons of Zebedee, mulling over our future. Confident that Jesus hears our prayer and gives us whatever we have been asking for, we might think we can rightly indulge at requesting him a favor even though if our motive is a little bit selfish. We may be tempted to envision ourselves at the head table. After all, we might speculate: “We have given out many things, like our times, our talents, and our treasures to the church and community; we really deserve some rich reward.”
However when we are taken aback by our ambitious expectations, by his grace we come to realize that we do not know exactly what we are asking. For a lot of times, we are not deeply aware of the countless cold nights, the empty stomachs, the scorn from the unbelieving neighbors, and the enmity of the powerful that go with the immense task we have to perform before we can finally sit down beside his celestial throne.
Like the two disciples, we are all challenged to pledge our fidelity, agreeing to share with Jesus whatever cup of dark affliction might be offered to us. Our hope rests on the fact that since Christ’s suffering had been over, we can continue becoming his ministers of remembrance, calling the earthly communities where we belong to also share in his dying and rising.
This is one big challenge all of us need to meet. Behind our “we can”, Jesus himself is giving his strength to all those who commits themselves to go up again with him to our present day Jerusalem. May we never knowingly refuse to drink from his cup.
Jesus’ teaching has now become classic: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all” (Mk l0:43-44).
Today is World Mission Sunday. We may, as a fitting closing statement, recall the virtues and the courage of the many missionaries. Their leadership in the mission lands is not about self-glorification, but about the service of, and the upliftment and empowerment of others.
o0o
Realities: The celebrated English writer Emily Bronte while still at school wrote the following story, perhaps worried by the addiction shown by her brother Bramwell.
The Queen of Death was enthroned in her court, and seeking for a Prime Minister who would cause as much havoc as possible among the humans. She listened to various applicants for the post: each of the seven Deadly Sins urged his own claims, and so did Pestilence and Famine.
Finally, two sinister figures, Ambition and Fanaticism, made rival speeches; Ambition promised a great harvest of deaths through wars, and Fanaticism through revolution and mob-violence. But just as the Queen was about to choose one of them, another claimant appeared.
This was a lady of cheerful and handsome appearance, and her speech made a great impression. It might be true, she said, that many deaths were caused by wars and revolutions. But wars and revolutions were the exception. “What you need,” she said, “is something that will go on multiplying deaths even in times of peace and prosperity. That I can promise to do. Indeed, with the help of my friend Civilization here, I can ensure that the more prosperity and plenty is enjoyed by mankind, the more deaths will result from it. I promise to carry off more people in peace-time than my rivals can kill in time of war and revolution.”
Charmed by the speech, the Queen asked the speaker’s name.
“My name is Intemperance,” was the answer. The Queen appointed her Prime Minister of the realm of Death, and she has been successfully at work ever since. (Drinkwater, DRINKING)
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o0oDirection : Great God, that bowest sky and star, Bow down our towering thoughts to thee. And grant us in a faltering war. The firm feet of humility. Lord, we that snatch the swords of flame. Lord, we that cry about thy ear. We too are weak with pride and shame, We too are as our foemen are. Yea, we are mad as they are mad. Yea, we are blind as they are blind. Yea, we are very sick and sad who bring good news to all mankind. The dreadful joy thy Son has sent is heavier than any care. We find, as Cain his punishment, our pardon more than we can bear. Lord, when we cry thee far and near. And thunder through all lands unknown. The gospel into every ear. Lord, let us not forget our own. Cleanse us from ire of creed or class. The anger of the idle kings. Sow in our souls, like living grass, the laughter of all lowly things. (Prayer for Humility, Gilbert Keith Chesterton <1874-1936> Apologist, Novelist, and Poet)