Mk 9:30-37 Who Is The Greatest?

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
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Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.  He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise."  They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"

Who is the greatest?  That's what the Apostles were arguing about among themselves on the way to Capernaum.  Apparently, they didn't read the writing on the wall:  If you wish to be great, then start sacrificing.

The writing on the wall still hasn't been read by many, even today.  How can anyone blame them.  I don't blame them.  After all, who would believe it?  

The Son of Man will be handed over to men.  He did it.  For the first time ever the Lord revealed His passion and His Father's Will.  But He did it in a way so only those who followed Him so nearly would know about it.  He planted this "thought capsule" into their ear, allowing it to gradually work its way to the back of their mind and eventually open up, but only at the right time, right place and in the right way.  As for now, they would remain unconscious to its powerful meaning and significance. 

This is the only possible explanation as to how the Twelve could have journeyed so far with the Lord and argued behind his back as to who was the greatest. 

And they will kill him. This King is not like any other king.  He will be arrested like a enemy of the state, scourged like a thief and crucified like a criminal.  He will be vilified by His people and used for political gain by His enemies.  This is no typical King.  He cries at the death of his friend.  He forgives His enemies.  He forgives His friends.  He speaks a language we can all understand, especially when he cried out:  My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?! 

Did the Lord die because He lacked faith?  Did John the Baptist die because He lacked faith?  Did Peter and Paul die because they lacked faith?  "I'm sure the only problem was they didn't have enough faith." 

How funny!  How silly!  How very typical.  Those who enjoy pointing fingers at others usually end up pointing them at the wrong people!  Instead of blaming the perpetrators, they end up blaming the innocent. 

If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.  Sacrifice plays a significant role in Christ's calling.  His dying for our sins was His fundamental reason for living with us.  And the Lord died a thousand deaths.  Christ spent his entire ministry teaching people how to love.  He ended it by setting an enduring example for years to come, and for all those who would come after him.      

"You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.…" (Jn 13:13-15).