feasting on the word
"If you meditate on the Scriptures it will appear to you in its brilliant splendor." ―St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Isaiah 53:10-11 | Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 | Hebrews 4:14-16 | Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45 Are we trying to follow Jesus' example? The readings for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to look for meaning beyond our struggles, take comfort in knowing that Jesus fully understands our hardships, and serve God by helping others. Even though Bacoor City is quite urban, it’s fortunate to have a wide range of trees, shrubs, palm ferns, and medicinal plants scattered throughout. Some six years ago, while walking my daughter to kindergarten, we came across something you don’t see often—a butterfly about to emerge from its cocoon. The tiny cocoon was spinning, and part of a beautiful wing was already peeking out. It was right at Jill’s eye level, so I bent down to see it from her perspective. She said, “Oh, Daddy, he’s just struggling to get out.” The butterfly seemed stuck, struggling to break free, barely making any progress. I thought I’d help, so I gently split the bottom of the cocoon. But when I did, the butterfly fell out in a blob, with a swollen body and wrinkled wings. It never flew. I learned something important that day—the butterfly needs the struggle to emerge and fly. Struggle is a vital part of growth for all of us.
Our First Reading comes from the fourth of Deutero-Isaiah's servant songs and opens with a striking line: “The Lord was pleased to crush him with suffering.” However, the focus here isn't on explaining suffering in a philosophical or theoretical way. Instead, it highlights the results of the servant's suffering and looks beyond the pain. Despite the suffering, there is a promise of life and light ahead. Similarly, in our lives, struggles are often what we need. When we ask God for strength, He sends challenges to build us up. When we seek wisdom, He presents us with problems to solve. When we pray for wealth, He gives us the tools—our minds and hands—to work for it. When we desire courage, He allows us to face danger. When we ask for love, He brings us people in need to care for. When we ask for His favors, He provides us with opportunities. While we may not receive exactly what we ask for, God grants us the struggle needed to grow into what we are meant to be. If life were free of obstacles, we wouldn’t reach our full potential. As St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, once reflected: “Do you want to become a great saint? Ask God to send you many sufferings. All the pleasures of the world are nothing compared to the sweetness found in the gall and vinegar offered to Jesus Christ—that is, the hard and painful things endured for Him and with Him.” Suffering, though personally painful, can lead to redemption. Farmer Ernesto had a litter of puppies for sale and was putting up a sign when 10-year-old Jun-Jun approached. "Manong Entoy," Jun-Jun said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." The farmer explained that the puppies were expensive, and Jun-Jun, after checking his pockets, offered ₱28. Smiling, the farmer agreed to let him look. He whistled for the mother dog, Tala, and out came four playful pups. Jun-Jun’s eyes lit up, but then he noticed a smaller, weaker puppy struggling to keep up. "I want that one," Jun-Jun said. The farmer explained that the runt wouldn’t be able to run and play like the others. Jun-Jun then rolled up his pant leg to reveal a prosthetic. "I don’t run too well either," he said, "and this puppy will need someone who understands." With tears, the farmer gave Jun-Jun the little puppy. When we’re going through tough times, it’s easy to feel like no one understands. That sense of isolation can make us think we have to face things alone. But our Second Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is with us and understands exactly what we’re going through because He shared in our human experience, yet without sin. Whether we’re dealing with pain, disappointment, or heartbreak, Jesus understands because He felt all of this during His life on earth. He was hurt, betrayed, and let down by those close to Him. As the compassion of God in person, Jesus is approachable for those who suffer. We can turn to Him today, knowing He feels our struggles and can give us the strength to keep going. Back in 2008, when I was working at a BPO in Mandaluyong City, we had a town hall meeting with around 250 people gathered. Just before the program started, T.H., the company owner, walked in. There weren’t many seats left, but he spotted one near our area and approached. Politely, he asked the girl sitting next to the empty seat, “May I sit here?” She was saving the spot for a teammate who was in the restroom, so she frowned and said, “No, that’s taken.” “Oh, okay,” he replied and walked off. Once he was out of earshot, we couldn’t stop laughing and told her, “You just turned down the owner!” She was shocked and said, “I did? What?” She had only been with the company for two weeks and hadn’t seen his photo yet. It’s human nature to want the best seat in the house, whether it’s at a concert, sporting event, or even in church. We often see people racing for the prime parking spot or paying a premium for the best view at an event. In church, however, the "best" seat is often the last pew, as it fills up the quickest, while the front row remains empty. In the Gospel, James and John asked Jesus for the best seats in His kingdom, seeking glory without understanding the cost. Jesus explained that true greatness lies in service and sacrifice, not in seeking honor. He invited them to share in His suffering and death, modeling for His disciples that serving others is a mission, not a path to power or prestige. As Christians, our ambition should be to serve with sincerity and humility. Jesus teaches a powerful lesson on servanthood and greatness. True greatness in Jesus' kingdom does not come from power, status, or authority, but from serving others. He points out that rulers and those in power often "lord it over" others, exercising control and dominance. But for His followers, the path to greatness is the opposite: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Jesus Himself exemplifies this by stating, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." As Max Lucado wisely put it, "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd." <enrique,ofs>
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About JeffJeff Jacinto, PhD, DHum |