By Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Response: Psalm 54:3-6, 8; Second Reading: James 3:16–4:3; Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Today’s reading from the Book of Wisdom contrasts the just person versus “the wicked.” If this language seems strong, consider the repulsive human behavior which is described. Resentment of another person because they are just and morally good is the behavior of someone whose moral conscience has been badly corrupted. If we have a healthy conscience, the good example of a just person motivates us to repent for the ways that we fall short.
The morally good person described here has reproached the wicked for their “transgressions of the law.” This is a reference to the Law of Moses. For faithful Jews, not keeping the Law of Moses has consequences for the whole faith community — not just for the one sinful individual. They understand God’s blessing and protection to depend on the faithfulness of the Jewish people as a whole. After the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, the Jewish people re-dedicated themselves to living God’s law faithfully — so that they might be worthy of the Lord God’s protective care. Keeping the law was everyone’s responsibility.
Thus the just man rebuked the wicked. But this prompted their resentment, not repentance. The wicked decided to “put the just one to the test” by means of “revilement and torture.” They even plotted to “condemn him to a shameful death.” Their terrible sin was made worse because their actions were designed to test whether “God will defend him.” They were mocking the just person’s own faith-filled words that “God will take care of him.”
Next, these verses from the letter of James emphasize this contrast: peace versus war. In 3:16-18, “the wisdom from above” leads to righteous action — “peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy.” Righteousness is compared to “fruit.” Peace is the necessary condition to allow this “fruit” (of “righteousness”) to be both “sown” and “cultivated.”
The next paragraph contrasts this peace with “wars” and “conflicts” that are present in the community to which James writes. These conflicts were already anticipated in 3:16, which mentioned “jealousy and selfish ambition.” Now 4:1 says these persons have “passions that make war within your members.” Thus they have a “war” within themselves — as well as external conflict with others. These persons are further described as coveting and envious — which causes them to “fight and wage war” with others. They desire to possess, but they do not ask in a just manner. Their passions drive them into conflict with others. Thus they are constantly at “war” with others instead of at “peace.”
Envy is the main concern of this section, James 3:13-4:10. The letter rebukes those who are creating division and conflict by their envious actions — including violence. This condemnation of envy is connected to James 2:1-7, which describes earthly riches as causing division within the local Christian community. In James 5:1-6, the rich are condemned for treating the poor unjustly. Their earthly riches will soon pass away, leaving the rich in despair.
In today’s responsorial, the psalmist begs God for help: “By your name save me ... hear my prayer.” Next, the psalmist describes the danger he faces from “haughty men” and “the ruthless” who “seek my life.” The psalmist proclaims God to be “my helper,” and then again speaks directly to God, promising: “I will praise your name, O LORD.” This psalm shows deep trust in God in the face of death.
Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ second prediction of his death and resurrection in Mark’s Gospel. Jesus first predicted this in Mark 8:27-33. Jesus will say this a third time in Mark 10:32-34. Here in 9:32, it says that Jesus’ disciples “did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.” This contrasts with Mark 8:27-33 — where Peter rebukes Jesus for saying that the Messiah must be killed. Thus Jesus responded by rebuking Peter: “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (8:33). Jesus is insistent that — being the Messiah — he must suffer, die and rise again.
After Jesus and his disciples arrive in a house in Capernaum, Jesus asks them: “What were you arguing about on the way?” Jesus knows that they have been debating “who was the greatest.” So Jesus lightly rebukes their desire for self-importance by “taking a child” as an example for teaching them about humility. Jesus tells them: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” Further, the person who receives Jesus also receives God the Father — “the One who sent me.” Thus to receive a child in Jesus’ name is to receive God.
The Greek indicates a rather young child. In the ancient world, young children were seen as unimportant. Societal respect depended upon accomplishing something as an adult. Thus Jesus is commanding his disciples to reject their society’s norms concerning which persons are important — and why. Jesus’ disciples belong to the “kingdom of God.” This should transform how we perceive ourselves and the world
Jesus says the Christian must receive the child “in my name” — a key phrase. Christ has commanded us to receive the weak and the unimportant of this world in the same way as we would receive Christ — God’s Son who has redeemed us. If we obey this command, then we have stopped living for our own personal advantage and self-interest in this world. The common motivation for receiving strong and important people with honor is the hope that they might return the favor to our personal advantage. This is a seeking of earthly reward. The Christian rejects earthly reward — instead choosing the kingdom of God.
Thus — immediately after his second prediction of his death (Mark 9:30-37) — Jesus rebukes his disciples’ desire for personal greatness. So also after Jesus’ third prediction of his death (Mark 10:32-34), he rebukes James and John for their desire that “we may sit one at your right and the other at your left (in your kingdom)” (Mark 10:35-45). Christ’s true disciple does not seek personal greatness, but rather obeys his command: “Take up (your) cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).