Are we ready to be great?

"What do you wish me to do for you?" (Mark 10:36)

This is how Jesus responds to the sons of Zebedee when they request for him to do whatever they ask of him. The readings for this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which also happens to be World Mission Sunday, remind us that to identify with Christ is to live a life of service. Like countless missionaries worldwide, we baptized are also called to work towards the realization of the kingdom of God. To do this, as James and John would learn from Jesus, is to transform worldly ambitions into spiritual ones.

In the first reading, God through the prophet Isaiah tells his chosen people about his suffering servant. Did the Hebrews then know that this servant would be the Messiah? In describing him, Isaiah says he will win salvation for many people because of his suffering. Later books in the Bible suggest that the Hebrew concept of the Messiah evolved into something different from what Isaiah and other prophets had foretold of him. Most of us are no different, for we too hold misconceptions about the true nature of success, fame, honor, wealth, and pleasure. Eventually, we become disappointed because our expectations do not reflect God’s desire for our lives, as opposed to our own.

The second reading of this Sunday tells us that God, who became human like us, understands our temptations and desires for worldly things. As our High Priest in Heaven, the Lord Jesus intercedes for us before his Father, who sees in him the struggles and needs of the human race. He is not distant nor indifferent – he does care about us! He, knowing how helpless we are, is eager to grant us what we truly desire! This is why the author of the letter to the Hebrews encourages us to go with confidence to the throne of God, “to receive his mercy and to find grace for timely help.” (Heb 4:16)

Let us return to the request James and John made to Jesus in today’s Gospel. They tell him that they want to sit at his left and right side when he enters into glory. Jesus replies to them:

"You do not know what you are asking. 

Can you drink the cup that I drink

or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Mark 10:38)

Regardless of what we think about their request, James and John were at least honest about their desires, even if they were misguided. Even Jesus acknowledged that. So he then challenges them, and us, to consider the true cost of the greatness they are asking for.  He asks if they are ready to share in his suffering – the mockery, the beatings, the spitting, and ultimately, his death. They enthusiastically say yes, and Jesus responds that they will. While what they asked from him was ultimately not his to give, he then teaches them and the rest of the Apostles what true greatness is:

“Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.” (Mark 10:43-44)

Jesus is the suffering servant Isaiah was referring to. His mission of saving the world made him the servant of the world. We who are baptized into his death and resurrection are called to be servants of the world, and by so doing bring the Gospel to all who need it. In short, we are all called to be missionaries.

On this World Mission Sunday, we celebrate those who have responded generously to the call to serve and spread the Gospel, demonstrating true Christian greatness. While most of us will not travel to be missionaries, we can still be missionaries at school, at work, in our families, and in our neighborhoods. Today, the Lord asks all of us to be generous in bringing the Gospel message to all those we encounter. God wants us to be great, but not by worldly standards. What he wants for us is much better: to bring us and all people into the wedding banquet of the Lamb: HEAVEN.

GOD BLESS OUR MISSIONARIES!