First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11

The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and JOhn. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoevber wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Why do we follow Jesus? It seems that James and John were in it for the glory. Their rather presumptuous request of Jesus, that He allow them to sit on His left and on His right “in his glory” anticipated the day when they would share in Jesus’ glory, basking in the glow of His light, doubtless for all to see. The other ten became indignant when they heard of James and John’s request not, I think, because they were inspired by purer motives in following Jesus, but because they had designs of their own for when Jesus came “in his glory.”

Jesus does not rebuke them harshly for their presumption. Rather, He tells them, “You do not know what you are asking.” Indeed, they do not. For they have no idea, as of yet, the suffering that Jesus will endure, and of what it means to follow Him. He asks them if they are ready to follow Him in His suffering. James and John reply unhesitatingly that they are. But, are they, really? Do they have any idea of what it means to follow Jesus?

The Gospel of Mark is divided into two somewhat equal parts. The first eight and more chapters are dedicated to the question: Who is Jesus? Mark answers this by demonstrating that Jesus is one who teaches and acts with authority. The second half of the Gospel is dedicated to the question: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Mark answers that with the sufferings of Jesus – His passion and death. Indeed, many scholars are of the opinion that the resurrection of Jesus in the original manuscript of Mark’s Gospel is only revealed through a secondary source: an angel sitting in the tomb where the body of Jesus had lain. And, when they realize that Jesus is no longer in His tomb, Mary Magdalene and the others who discover this run away in fear. To be a disciple is to share in Jesus’ suffering, to take up our cross and follow Him. If we do so, and remain faithful to the end, the promise is that we will share in His glory.

St. Teresa of Avila, whose Memorial the Church celebrated last Tuesday, was one day praying in the chapel of her convent. While in prayer, she saw a vision of Jesus. She contemplated the vision for some time and, after doing so, shouted, “Begone, Satan!” Immediately, the vision of Jesus dissipated, and there before her was Satan himself. “How did you know it wasn’t really Jesus?” Satan asked her. She replied, “No wounds! No wounds!” You see, the father of lies had appeared to Teresa in the image of Jesus, but with no wounds in His hands, feet, or side. As such, Teresa knew it wasn’t really Jesus. The real Jesus has wounds, and He kept them even after His resurrection.

This is the Jesus Satan wants us to adore. This is the Jesus Satan wants us to follow and imitate – the Jesus with no wounds; the Jesus Who did not suffer; the Jesus Who did not sacrifice. And, perhaps most important of all, the Jesus Who demands nothing of us. “Don’t make being a Christian so hard. Don’t be a drama queen! Live your life. Be nice. Be tolerant of others. Don’t worry about the poor, the naked, the infirm, the imprisoned, or the hungry. What can you do for them, anyway? Don’t worry about bothering others with the good news you have received, or the graces with which you’ve been blessed. You’ll only make yourself a nuisance to others, and they’ll think you rude. Don’t worry about sacrificing or suffering. I sacrificed and suffered so you wouldn’t have to!“

But, as Isaiah prophecied centuries before, this is not the real Jesus. The real Jesus offered Himself for the sins of the world. Offering yourself for the sins of the world is going to hurt. It’s going to demand a life of perfect obedience to the Father. It’s going to demand the type of life Jesus calls us to as His disciples. But the promise is that, if we follow Him in His suffering and sacrifice, then we will share in His glory. And Jesus keeps His promises.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.