SUNDAY- 25^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

I Reading: Wisdom 2:12.17-20: Let us condemn him to a shameful death.

II Reading: James 3:16-4:3: Peacemakers, when they work for peace, saw the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37: The Son of Man will be delivered. If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself servant of all.

The Second Prediction of Death:

Intensive Training in the Death of Christ, 9:30-32

The thrust of this passage is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus drilled the truth of His death and resurrection into His disciples. It is absolutely essential that every person grasp the death and resurrection of Jesus.

1. The preparation: Jesus got along his disciples (v.30)

2. The lesson: Jesus taught his disciples that he was to die and arise (v.31)

3. The response: The disciples rejected what they did not wish to see

The Disciples’ Terrible Ignorance of Messiahship:

A Problem of Ambition, 9:33-37

The disciples were thinking that who would hold the highest position (for recognition and position) in the kingdom of Jesus. It is nice to have a good ambition for the highest gifts or good or service.

Hence, we must make a choice between good ambition and bad ambition. The good ambition is doing God’s way or His plan/will with humility and obedience at the service of the highest good of the community. We achieve this goal through selfless service, commitment, hardship, suffering even unto death is the path way to God’s glory. Jesus saved us through his passion, death and resurrection for the greater glory of God and salvation of humankind.

1. Jesus returned to Capernaum (v.33)

a. The disciples argued

b. Jesus questioned what they were arguing about

2. Ambition can shame (v.34)

3. Ambition needs instruction (v.35)

4. Ambition is a virtue, but it must be directed toward the right goal: to serve (v.35)

5. Ambition for service proves a person’s discipleship (36-37)

a. The Illustration: welcoming a child

b. The lesson: proves one’s discipleship

          1) Proves one has received Christ

          2) proves one has received God

Thought: Ambition that leads to argument and division is wrong. It must be based on service and highest gifts.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com