The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful ... to learn the 'surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,' by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. 'Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.' "
Catechism of the Catholic Church ง133

Note: New studies are posted Wednesday evenings

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B
October 18, 2009

Opening Prayer

First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11

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

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:35-45

Overview of the Gospel:

This Sunday’s Gospel reading finds Jesus still resolutely making his way to Jerusalem and his destiny and, for the third time in Mark’s gospel, predicting his upcoming Passion to his disciples (Mark 10:32-34. See also Mark 8:31 and 9:30-32).

The apostles James and John (along with St. Peter) formed what can be called Jesus’ “inner circle.” They appear with him at key moments where the other apostles are not invited—at the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43), the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8), and in the Garden of Gethsemane during his prayer of agony (Mark 14:32-42).

It was not long before this Sunday’s episode, however, that he rebuked them as they argued over which of them was the greatest (Mark 9:33-37). And now, with Jesus’ latest prediction of his Passion still in their ears, James and John (verse 35) and then the other disciples (verse 41) again display a preoccupation with worldly ambition: they still misunderstand the Kingdom.

Jesus takes the opportunity to contrast their concept of power-leadership in the world with that of servant-leader in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Questions:

What view of the Kingdom are James and John still clinging to? How do you think could they respond like this in light of Jesus’ words in verses 33—34?

What is the “baptism” James and John are to be baptized with (verse 38)? What forms did that baptism take in their lives (see Acts 12:2 and Revelation 1:9)?

What are the cup (Matthew 26:39), the baptism (Luke 12:49-50), and the glory (John 1:14, 17:5) as each applies to Jesus?

What were some of the reasons, do you think, the other disciples were “indignant” at James and John (verse 41)?

How does Jesus practice what he preached (see the Second Reading, Hebrews 4:14-16)? In this context, what is a “ransom for many” (verse 45)? How is the death of Christ the ultimate service to all? How was this foretold in the Old Testament, such as in our First Reading (Isaiah 53:10-11)?

Who in your experience has been a true servant leader? Are you a servant leader at work or home? Could you be? How? Do you resist following the servant’s path to greatness? What is one way could you serve this week?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: งง 608, 618, 1225, 1551, 1570

Closing Prayer

His Majesty knows best what is suitable for us; it is not for us to advise him what to give us, for he can rightly reply that we know not what we ask. –St. Teresa of Avila

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This page was last updated on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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Opening Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church: งง 608, 618, 1225, 1551, 1570

Closing Prayer