Readings: Is. 53:10-11, Heb. 4:14-16, and Mk. 10:35-45.
“Humility is the Greatest Virtue on Which Other Virtues are Built.”
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
1. In our second reading today, Jesus Christ is presented to us as the High Priest, the Son of God who has entered heaven. For the Jews, the High Priest who was always one of them, despite his personal sins and defects, was considered a sacred person protecting the people from the punishment they deserved by their sins. The people needed not only leaders to govern them, but also advocate before God. They have had such leaders in the past, for example, Aaron, Moses’ brother and his successors. The High Priest was thus seen as the people’s representative before God, and he must be weak as they are but accepted by God. Christ is just that, and perfectly so for as the text relates: “…we have a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God… one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” Forgetting that Jesus is a man among humans is as serious for the faith as forgetting that he is the Son of God. In fact, Jesus is the “suffering servant” that the prophet Isaiah speaks about in the first reading. He does free captives, (but not from the earthly bondage of the Roman government). Jesus’ mission is to free all people from the captivity of sin and death.
2. The first reading concludes the hymn attributed to the suffering servant of Yahweh. The author however was referring to humiliation of God’s people who were suffering in Babylon during the Exile; the hymn however, outlined beforehand the image of God become human, who humbled himself even to death on the cross. Christ alone perfectly fulfilled this redemption mission from the beginning to the end of his life (Rom. 5:6). At the Last Supper, Jesus made mention of this text that his blood would be poured for ‘many’ that is, for the multitude. Both the first and the second readings do present Jesus to us then as the ideal High Priest, one like us, who has willingly suffered, to lead us to God. He has taught us by His words and by his innocent suffering for our redemption.
3. Jesus has taught us what leadership is. The leader is the servant of all. Jesus had come to serve and his service to humanity will be his voluntary death: “He made himself obedient, took the condition of a slave and died on the cross.” (Phil. 2:8). John and James are thinking of leadership in terms of earthly power, and glory. Leadership must be associated with suffering for the good of others to which none of us is exempted. James and John, like all of us will share in Jesus’ mission, not as the people who have the power to liberate from death but as the people who share the Good News of the one that can. We put ourselves at the service of the Gospel, sharing what we have received and helping to free all those in the slavery of sin. The benefits aren’t power, they are about eternity. From the very outset, it is known that heavenly glory can come only through earthly pain and self-sacrifice. This is missionary.
4. All the faithful by virtue of their baptism share in the priestly role of Christ. The Common Priesthood. This is sharing of power. We must represent humanity before God; we are consecrated to God for that purpose at baptism. In the Eucharist, we thank God in the name of everyone. In daily life we must be instruments of the grace of God by being people who promote truth, the good, the beautiful by encouraging love and establishing peaceful relationships. The challenge to drink the cup and be baptized are figurative ways of describing the suffering and death of Jesus.
5. Dear brothers and sisters, Pope St. John Paul told us repeatedly that the best of virtue on which all other virtues are built is Humility. This is the first and the perfect example our Lord Jesus Christ left for us. Humble people prefer compassion to competition; they do not brag, and they easily see the good in others. If you regard strength as the power to dominate, you will always be intimidated by those who seem to have more than you – more expertise, more experience, more wealth, more energy, more intelligence. Last and not least, humble people admit their mistakes. Those words that serve as a soothing balm in human relationships when we go wrong or make mistakes are “I am sorry,” and “Please forgive me.” Proverbs 16:24 has it that “Kind words are like honey sweet to the taste and good for your health.” May Jesus Christ, give us the grace to strive after His own example, help us become the servant leader we were created to be. When we see others in need, fill us with compassion and move us to action in humility and service. To God be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Anthony D. Lawir,
Pastor, St. Agnes and Our Lady of Snows Parishes, Pittsfield and Dexter.