Mark 9:30-37
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
Unable to understand and afraid to ask
This Sunday, we see Jesus taking care to teach both the crowd and the disciples. He’s guiding His disciples in the qualities they need personally and as missionaries.
Jesus is leaving an unmentioned area and going through Galilee, where He offers His disciples a special time without big crowds surrounding them. Between the lines, we may consider this time a private occasion for special teaching.
Then, as usual, Jesus takes the initiative. He starts with the main point—offering Himself for the salvation of humankind. Mark 9:31, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, they will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.”
Jesus is sowing seeds for the immediate future, but the disciples are not able to understand now. Who can perceive God's thoughts and ways?! These are new concepts for the disciples: Son of Man, betrayal, killing, Resurrection... no one dares ask Him what, when or how! They prefer to keep silent with a sense of fear.
Then a new section starts where it is time to plant in their hearts the messianic qualities of greatness and leadership. "What were you arguing about on the road?” Caught, they keep silent again. The issue they were speaking about is so important for our human society. It remains accurate and crucial for each of His disciples both yesterday and today. “Who is the greatest among them!?" Mark 9:34. Who would have guessed that the greatest should be the servant of all?
Jesus says to serve with the spirit of a child. This image refers to the eastern culture, where a child represents dependence upon his/her parents’ love and care. Children exhibit innocence, trust, spontaneous sharing with others without a complex of superiority, no rancor, continuing growth in knowledge and wisdom.
It’s important for us today to see how Jesus is dealing with the disciples, v. 35 "They sat down,” a sign of respecting their fatigue, offering them time for rest, then having a dialogue more than instructions and orders.
Many times we may not understand God's ways in our life, but let us trust Him and persevere with confidence in His loving care!
How much do we need to reconsider our understanding and practice of greatness today? How much do we need to serve with humility and a child's heart? How much do we need God's servants in the Church witnessing for Jesus according to His model of dialog and constructive teaching?
Today, we are invited to walk with Him, to ask Him, to listen to Him, to feel some shame in His presence, to reconsider through silent moments what He says to us, and to emulate His model of life and teaching!