Daily Catholic Lectio. Sun, 20 October ’24. Everyone to the banquet!

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sun, 20 October ‘24

XXIX Week in Ordinary Time, Sunday

World Mission Day

Isaiah 53:10-11. Hebrews 4:14-16. Mark 10:35-45

Everyone to the banquet!

Today we are celebrating World Mission Day. The theme for the celebration is “Go and invite everyone to the banquet!” (cf. Mt 22:9). The theme becomes more relevant to us in the context of the Second Session XVI General Assembly of the Synod, which strives to drive home the idea of a Church that is inclusive, innovative, and impactful.

The gospel reading of the day ends with an assertion from Jesus: “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as ransom for many.” Jesus’ ultimate mission in life was to become a banquet served to all.

In the gospel reading, Jesus and his disciples are set towards Jerusalem (cf. Mk 10:32). Jerusalem was the goal of Jesus’ life in terms of space and time. From Jerusalem he would rise up to the Father. And the disciples will continue Jesus’ mission from Jerusalem. Thus, the journey to Jerusalem becomes significant for Jesus and his disciples. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he foretells his passion and death for the third time.

As he was misunderstood on earlier two occasions, he is misunderstood the third time as well. James and John ask that they be seated at Jesus’ right and left.

We need to appreciate James and John for three reasons: (a) They knew what they wanted in and from their lives – at times we don’t even know whether we like to have coffee or tea! (b) In order to get what they wanted, they knew whom to ask and where to seek. And (c) They aspire to be close to Jesus, being seated next to him.

However, three human elements play a significant role here: (a) Our basic instinct to feel important and to be treated as important; (b) Our will to power – we want to have control over what happens to us, and whom we are with; and (c) Master plan – having a definitive plan or ensuring certainty or certitude about what will occur tomorrow and where I will be.

Moreover, this event could be taken as a temptation narrative. Jesus’ temptation did not end in the desert. It goes on till his death. And he was tempted not only by Satan but also by his near and dear ones. Here, James and John, by asking for the seats at the right and left of the throne, tempt Jesus to ascend to the throne.

Jesus, without being judgemental, makes their perspectives clear. He sets the game of power in a larger dimension – in the context of passion and death. Further, he takes this event to be a space to exhort the disciples on serving. He reveals that his very life is going to be that of service and self-sacrifice.

The first reading is taken from the fourth Servant Song. The servant is humiliated and struck, but his moment of affliction becomes a moment of God-experience. He experiences the presence of God even in those moments of affliction, pain, and suffering.

The second reading presents Jesus as the High Priest, and his priesthood lies in mercy. On account of Jesus’ death, the distance between God and human persons has narrowed down. Jesus becomes vulnerable like us through his sufferings.

Service, self-sacrifice, and compassion – these three words summarise today’s readings.

(a) Service

The basic instinct of ‘importance’ could be overcome by our will to self-annihilation. The will to power can be countered by the will to service. My ability to let go of the prime place makes me vulnerable, but it teaches me that my worth rests not in the place but within me; my dignity is not that which comes from outside, but that which is inside.

(b) Self-sacrifice

The suffering servant does not take but gives; does not possess but gives away; does not hoard but gives up completely. His self-sacrifice not only saves other people, but also makes him complete. When I begin to give up I begin to grow up.

(c) Compassion

Jesus’ compassion is the characteristic mark of his priesthood. His compassion is non-judgemental.

These three words become relevant to the theme of the World Mission Day as well. In order to ‘go and everyone to the banquet’, it is necessary that we are ready to ‘serve’, ‘self-sacrifice,’ and ‘be compassionate.’

May the World Mission Day that we celebrate today move us away from our comfort zones and push us to embrace everyone so that our Church becomes inclusive, innovative, and impactful.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy

Image courtesy: Pontifical Mission Organizations India