The Gospel of Mark contains three
passion, death, and resurrection predictions. These are found in 8:31, 9:31,
and 10:32-34. It is only in Mark that all three predictions are “on the way”.
This fact illustrates that Mark intends readers of his Gospel to realize, not
merely that Jesus spoke these predictions while travelling with his disciples
along the road, but also, more importantly, that Jesus was speaking about his
way of life and the way of life to which those who followed him were being
invited.
After each of these predictions,
there was misunderstanding on the part of one or all the disciples. After the
first prediction, Peter is the one who misunderstands. He protests Jesus’ going
to his cross. Jesus corrects this misunderstanding by insisting that the cross
in the only way. After the second, it is all twelve who misunderstand. They
discuss among themselves who is the greatest. After the third prediction, it might
seem at first glance that James and John misunderstand when they ask for places
of honour. A closer reading indicates that, along with them, the other ten also
misunderstand because of their indignation with the brothers. This indignation
indicates that the ten were thinking in the same way as James and John. Jesus,
however, is not indignant and again, sets about correcting their
misunderstanding. He does this by explicating his way of life and the way of
life that he will expect those who follow him to live.
This explication is done, not in
words alone but, as both the first and second readings of today point out, in
and through inconceivable and mind boggling action. The first reading speaks of
the prophecy of Isaiah. It is part of the fourth and final servant song that is
contained in the Book of Isaiah. The suffering of the servant is a definite
part of God’s incomprehensible and unfathomable plan. It is he who will show,
through his life, what true love and service really mean, Appointed by God, he
will use his power, not to condemn, but to save. He will bring to completion
and fruition the plan of God to save all peoples everywhere and for all time.
This is the theme that Jesus takes up in his instruction to the disciples. His
task in the world, like that of the suffering servant whom Isaiah had
prophesied about, was to become ransom for all. This he would do, not by being
served, but by serving. If the disciples wanted to follow him, as fully as they
ought to, they had to realize that, in his view, authority meant service. They
had to realize that being master and Lord meant being slave and servant of all.
Jesus showed them how this was
done through his willingness to embrace the cross, even if it meant scandal to
those who did not believe and foolishness to others. He was willing to embrace
the cross even if meant the end of his day, the end of his life. He was willing
to embrace the cross even if meant that he would be abandoned by all, abandoned
even by his God and father. This is why the second reading from Hebrews
expresses, as confidently as it does, that we, as believers, need have no fear.
We have before us a model that we can imitate. This model is not merely a
heavenly model but rather, he is a model who has been, in every way, like us even
to the point of being tested as we are. He did not show us the way from on
high, but by becoming human, so that he could inspire, encourage, invite, and
challenge us. Thus, he is able to understand us in all of our weaknesses and in
our striving for position and honour and power.
While, on the one hand, we may be
too quick to judge and even condemn the disciples for their striving, any
attempt to practice detachment ourselves indicates how difficult it can really
be, We often experience feelings of jealousy, envy, resentment, and antipathy
or hostility towards those who have more than we, or who are in a “better”
position than we are. We keep craving for things that we mistakenly believe
will satisfy.
Jesus shows us, in the Gospel
text of today, what it means to be a true disciple. He challenges us to give up
our acquisitiveness and take on, instead, the attitude of detachment. He has
shown through his life, his mission, and his death, that this detachment is
possible. He has us this by the totally human life that he led. He has shown us
this by going ahead of us and leading the way. The way to do this is to be bold
and to approach the throne of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and grace. The
way to do this is in knowing that, even if we fall or fail, we can lift
ourselves up because of his graciousness to us ll. The way to do this is to
believe that, with his help, we can be true disciples. Are we willing to
believe that this is so?
