Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 20, 2024
Twenty-Ninth Week of Ordinary Time
20th October 2024 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11
It was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22 (R. 22)
R/. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord.
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Brethren: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Mark 10:35-45
At that time: James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The chalice 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 hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Sunday – Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Guidelines: A true leader is a disciple of the Lord. One who does not follow the Lord cannot lead the followers.
1. Human history has been a story of power-struggles and conflicts. The operating principle has been domination. The means have been subjugation and suppression.
2. All this has been in the name of asserting and exercising their authority. The aim is to prove and acquire greatness over others.
3. What is seen in all this struggle and conflict is a false concept of greatness and a wrong way of gaining it. Today, the Lord is teaching us a new way of being great, the right way of achieving and living it.
4. That is why, he says clearly, “it shall not be so among you”. So in the first place, are we different from the worldly way of greatness? If we also follow the same wrong principles of greatness, then what is the difference of us as the followers of Christ?
5. Behind all this power struggle and hunt for greatness through domination, there is one thing essentially lacking. This causes all this distortion. And that is humility. When humility is lacking in regard to God, to others and to one’s own self, then there is this fall into falsity.
6. Failing in humility with regard to God means that one is not aware of God’s greatness, holiness and goodness. Such an awareness makes one aware of his own contrasting littleness, unholiness and evilness.
7. This contrast will surely guard him against all layers of false dignity and self-glory. Before the might, sanctity and benevolence of God, who is he! How unworthy he is! How much he is inadequate! What is there to pride or boast about!
8. Failing in humility in regard to others implies an approach that belittles and despises others. It fails to treat others with respect and equity. It fails to recognize that each person carries an inviolable respectability and honour irrespective of his social standing or riches. It categorises others as worth or unworth, as big or small, as important or insignificant.
9. Failing in humility with regard to one’s own self indicates a false self- image. One refuses to see himself as he is, especially not accepting his own fragility and imperfections. With a blown up image, one rates himself better, greater and higher than others especially on material, intellectual and social levels.
10. Therefore, unless one realises and overcomes these three aspects of failure of humility, he cannot arrest his seeking false greatness that runs on domination and subjugation.
11. This directs us to the only remedy and antidote that can heal the situation. That is the imitation of Christ especially in his humility and selfless service.
12. Even though Son of God Himself, YET he did not cling on to his equality with God, but he humbled and emptied himself, taking upon himself the form of a servant. He declares quite explicitly, “I came to serve and not to be served”.
13. Thus, he shows the true concept and path of greatness: greatness consists not in domination but self- donation, not in subjugation but rejuvenation, not in suppression but submission, not in subordination but coordination, not in degradation but upgradation, not in discrimination but dignification.
Practice: True greatness is in humility and service. This is a great challenge against all the present power corruption in lording over others with a sense of false status and shallow dignity. It is high time to humble ourselves in selfless service!
