Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings

“For The Son Of Man Did Not Come To Be Served But To Serve And To Give His Life As A Ransom For Many”

Our three readings this Sunday give us three different views of the suffering servant - the one who will give his life as a substitutionary atonement for the sins of the people (our sins). The image of the blameless lamb that is sacrificed in atonement for sins is as old as Israel itself.

In our first reading (Isaiah 51:10-11), we hear an excerpt from Isaiah's fourth Song of the Suffering Servant. Reading this passage in light of the resurrection of Jesus, it is clear that to us Christians, Jesus is this "servant who shall justify many, and their guilt He shall bear.”

In our Epistle reading (Hebrews 4:14-16), the author compares Jesus to the Jewish high priest who offered sacrifice once each year on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. Because our "great high priest" gave His own body and blood as the sacrifice for the sins of the world (once, for all), we can approach Jesus with the confidence that He is able to “sympathize with our weakness.”

In our Gospel reading (Mark 10:35-45), we hear the incredible request by James and John to share in Jesus' glory. Odd as that may seem, it was very much in keeping with the culture of the day. They expected a messiah that would ride triumphantly into Jerusalem as king and vanquish its enemies. His disciples would naturally take their places to the left and the right of His throne. Even after multiple warnings by Jesus of His impending passion and death, they just didn't understand. Jesus responded by asking them, "Can you drink the cup that I drink?" "We can", they readily replied. Little did they know that indeed they would.

Sometimes, like the apostles James and John, we may fail to understand the significance of the passion and death of Jesus for the atonement of our sins. Jesus indeed triumphed, but not in the way His disciples expected. Jesus triumphed over sin and death by rising from the dead after three days. Sometimes, we may act as if we haven't been saved, lacking the profound joy that salvation brings. Perhaps we can do better.