+ 17 October AD 2021+
Reflection for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 

The apostles James and John do really come off poorly in today’s gospel: James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you…Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left” (Mark 10: 35,37). The insensitivity of their request becomes even more evident when we consider the context in which their request to occupy the highest positions in Jesus’ kingdom was made. As we read from the preceding verses, the request came immediately after Jesus’ third prediction of his death: “They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them… Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death…”(Mark 10:32-33)

To imagine that the lobbying by James and John came immediately after the heart-rending words of Jesus is shocking. To imagine that James and John were more interested in their selfish ambition at such a time when Jesus was battling with the reality of his passion and death reeks of gross insensitivity and complete lack of sympathy. In fact, James and John could be considered selective listeners. They completely skipped the “Good Friday” part of Jesus’ story while holding tightly unto the “the Easter glory” part. Of course, they imagined that Jesus would overthrow the Roman government and run the show in Jerusalem. 

But come to think of it, isn’t it possible that in James and John we see a reflection of many of us today? How often do we find ourselves being insensitive and unsympathetic to those around us, choosing to pay attention to our own interests rather than their needs? What about the times when we chose to become selective listeners to our children, parents, spouses, Church members or colleagues at work – choosing to only hear what interests us? How often do we choose to focus on what we can benefit from those who come to us with their stories rather than seek ways to lift them out of their situations? Isn’t it true that sometimes we are more interested in the favors we can receive from Jesus than simply being with him? Isn’t’ it true that, like James and John, we often find ourselves focusing more on the favors we can receive from Jesus rather than listening to his message of salvation, mercy, peace and love? Isn’t it true that many today are more interested in what they can get from the Church than sharing in the pains and sufferings of the Church? Aren’t we James and John in some ways! 

The good news however, is that Jesus is neither James nor John! Jesus is never insensitive to our needs. Jesus is never detached from our human conditions. The Second Reading of today reminds us that Jesus is able to sympathize with us because he has passed through the challenges that we are passing through right now. Yes, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” Jesus truly understands because he has walked in our shoes. “Having experienced human life to its fullest, Jesus can sympathize with us when we turn out to be weak.” Jesus has truly experienced life as we know it from the womb to the tomb. He has experienced hunger, rejection, temptation,  afflictions, betrayal, denial, false accusation, insensitivity, indifference and even death. He knows what it means to be human. He understands our situations and now that he is seated on his throne above, he is not only interested to take care of our needs he is more than able to do so. Therefore, let us come to him with confidence knowing that in him we shall obtain mercy and grace for our timely needs. 

    Fr. Lazarus Onuh