SUNDAY HOMILY OF 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
SUNDAY HOMILY OF 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: SERVING OTHERS THROUGH PRAYER
BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa
Isaiah 53:10-11 / Hebrews 4:14-16 / Mark 10:35-45
In today’s gospel text (Mark 10:35–45), Jesus has just revealed his impending betrayal and suffering in Jerusalem. Yet James and John, the sons of Zebedee, astonishingly ask, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” (Mark 10:35). Their request demonstrates their misunderstanding of the mission of Jesus (Mark 8:31–33).
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Jesus then asks them, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36). They boldly respond, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (Mark 10:37), revealing their ambition and self-centeredness. Jesus doesn’t brush aside their request, but he confronts them with its implications.
As Jesus probes deeper, he exposes the depth of their misunderstanding. “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), Jesus says to them.
In this context, when Jesus speaks of “baptism,” he’s not referring to the sacrament we receive. Instead, he’s using the Greek word “baptizō,” which means “to plunge” or “to immerse.” “Baptism,” as used here, is like immersing yourself fully in a life-changing experience.
Jesus is essentially asking James and John, “Are you willing to plunge into the depths of suffering and sacrifice that lie ahead of me?” He is also challenging them to consider the cost of their request.
Without hesitation, James and John declare, “We can” (Mark 10:39), demonstrating their zeal but also their misunderstanding. They envision glory without the cross, salvation without sacrifice. Their response is like signing a contract without grasping its costly commitments.
We may frown at their bold request, sensing their selfish ambition and self-centeredness. Yet, let’s examine our own prayer lives. Don’t our intentions often mirror theirs? We pray for success, status, and comfort, neglecting the needs of others.
Are we any different from James and John, who ask to sit, one at the right hand of Jesus and one at his left, in his glory, not considering the other disciples?
Don’t we often pray mainly for our own desires, family, and friends, neglecting the needs of others beyond our circle? We rarely offer prayers for those who are unable to pray or assist themselves, such as the marginalized, the vulnerable, souls in purgatory, and the conversion of hardened criminals.
This is precisely what James and John did. They prayed for positions of honor and privilege, which reveals their misunderstanding of the universal and servant-oriented nature of prayer.
Jesus corrects them, emphasizing servanthood: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant” (Mark 10:43). This principle applies to prayer: “Pray for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1), “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), and “Intercede for all, especially the household of faith” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, 5:8).
Our prayers should reflect solidarity with the universal church (Ephesians 4:4-6), concern for the salvation of all (1 Timothy 2:3-4), empathy for the suffering (Romans 12:15), etc. But we often prioritize self-interest over servanthood, mirroring James and John’s request for positions of power (Mark 10:37).
Emily had always been faithful in prayer, jotting down her intentions in a journal. But one day, while flipping through the pages, she noticed a striking pattern: every prayer was for herself, her family, or close friends.
At a parish Bible study, Emily met Janet, a brave cancer warrior. During prayers, Janet’s selflessness moved Emily. Unlike others who prayed for personal concerns, Janet’s prayers were remarkably outward-focused: “Lord, comfort the suffering, heal the sick, and strengthen cancer patients.” Notably, Janet didn’t ask for her own healing, instead putting others first.
Inspired, Emily asked Janet, “How do you pray so unselfishly?” Janet’s response echoes St. Paul’s words: “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church” (Colossians 1:24).
“I used to pray only for myself and loved ones, but then I realized I was focusing on my own needs, like James and John asking for power (Mark 10:37). When I started praying for others, my heart expanded. I felt that I was contributing my quota to what is lacking in the cross for the salvation of the whole world,” Janet said so beautifully.
Emily’s curiosity piqued. “What could possibly be lacking in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross?” she asked. Janet’s warm smile preceded her gentle response, “Your prayers, kindness, and goodness.”
Janet elaborated, “You see, Emily, Christ’s cross is fully sufficient for our salvation. But when we suffer, pray, and show kindness, we’re not adding to His redemption—we’re participating in it.”
Emily’s perspective on prayer shifted. She now approaches prayer with a sense of community, thinking beyond her own needs. For every personal intention, she first prays for others who share the same desire. This simple shift revealed a profound truth: praying for others is a meaningful way to serve them.
Today, Jesus invites us to renew our prayer lives, calling us to be inclusive. Let’s embrace the beautiful Catholic tradition of interceding for one another, trusting that our prayers can bring comfort, healing, and strength to those around us.
Our gospel text (Mark 10:35–45) concludes with these final words of Jesus: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). May God bless us with a heart of servanthood, expand our prayer horizons, and may our prayers be a loving offering to God through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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