First reading: Wis. 2:12,17–20

The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

Second reading: Jas. 3:16–4:3

Beloved: Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Gospel: Mk. 9:30–37

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.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

In other words

by Fr. Magdaleno Fabiosa, SVD (St. Arnold Janssen Home, Tagbilaran City, Bohol)

The two scenes in today’s Gospel give us a clue to its message. The central concern of Jesus’ teaching is that salvation or entrance into God’s Kingdom is given as a free gift to all. It is never merited by any effort or activity on the part of any individual. 

It took time for this teaching to sink in because aside from its being new it is also diametrically opposed to what was understood and believed during the time of Jesus. The Jewish religion taught that entrance into God’s Kingdom is a consequence of following every letter of the law; it is a consequence of human effort and striving. 

It is in this light that we understand why in the parable about the Pharisee and the publican, the Pharisee felt so good about himself. When he was in the temple, he said to God, “I am not like many of my contemporaries, I fast twice a week; l give a good portion of my income to the poor.” He had all the right to feel good about himself because he was doing everything that the law demanded. He believed he was a sure candidate for God’s Kingdom. The publican, however, would not even dare raise his eyes to heaven. He just beat his breast and said, “Be merciful to me God, because I am a sinner.” In that parable, Jesus said that the publican went home justified.

This is what is new in the teaching of Jesus; in fact, this is at the heart of what the good news is: that salvation, entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, or one’s relationship with God is given to us for free; it is never achieved through human effort, therefore, no one merits it.

To bring home this point, the Gospel today contrasts the disciples’ discussion about who was great in God’s Kingdom and the image of a little child. Children in Jewish culture were incapable of gaining the Kingdom because they do not as yet know the law. If they do not know the Law, then they could not follow what it demands. Thus, they cannot be candidates for God’s Kingdom.

However, in another gospel text parallel to what we read today, Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to little children. By promising the Kingdom to children, Jesus challenged contemporary teaching on merit and reward. If salvation is given by God as a gift, then to discuss who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is an exercise in futility.

Jesus asks those who want to follow him to abandon false values such as status-seeking, power, and wealth. These values serve as a barrier to entering the Kingdom of God.

Instead of seeking prestige and status, the Kingdom requires that we humble ourselves, and get rid of our self-imposed importance measured in worldly values. We are asked to find our true vocation in obedient service to God present in our neighbor. In doing so, we become one with Jesus. We become his disciples.