Make God Your First Priority

TWENTY-FOURTHSUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Wis 2.12, 17-20;
Ps 53;
Jas 3.16 – 4.3;
Mk 9.30-37

Today’s gospel presents a poignant scene where the disciples fail to grasp Jesus’s teachings and are hesitant to seek clarification. The preceding passage emphasizes Jesus’s instructions to the disciples not to disclose His identity, reflecting strategic considerations to manage the expectations of those anticipating a political leader for liberation.

The disciples’ limited understanding prompted Jesus to restrict the dissemination of His identity to avoid premature disruptions to His mission. Despite His attempts to impart wisdom, the disciples’ lack of comprehension persisted, exemplifying the challenge of fully grasping profound spiritual concepts.

Jesus’s enigmatic directives to the disciples, prohibiting disclosure of His identity while foretelling His impending suffering and death, further compounded their confusion.

The disciples’ struggle to comprehend the depth of His message is relatable, considering their modest education and exposure to profound spiritual concepts. This narrative evokes introspection, prompting us to acknowledge the limits of our understanding of faith and the significance of seeking enlightenment without reservation.

The portrayal of individuals in the gospels who are spiritually blind or deaf underscores the connection between understanding and spiritual receptivity, emphasizing the necessity of humility and introspection in pursuing spiritual growth.

The narrative also underscores the imperative of self-awareness and humility in acknowledging our spiritual ignorance and seeking divine guidance to deepen our comprehension of faith.

This mirrors the value of engaging in various parish activities, such as scripture study and catechism classes, to foster a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. These initiatives are designed to facilitate a more profound comprehension of the tenets of revelation, reflecting the commitment to nurturing spiritual enlightenment within the community.

Each of the four gospels conveys distinct emphases in elucidating the truths of revelation. In Mark’s gospel, faith is epitomized by the recognition of Jesus as the divine Son of God and the Messiah.

This resonates in the proclamation of the Roman centurion following Jesus’s crucifixion, affirming His divine nature. Mark’s gospel challenges readers to embrace the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, recognizing the divine essence manifest in His teachings, miracles, and redemptive sacrifice.

The disciples’ initial reluctance to comprehend Jesus’s teachings serves as a contemporary lesson, urging us to wholeheartedly embrace the entirety of Christ’s revelation, even when it challenges our preconceptions. Their eventual willingness to seek clarification reflects the importance of pursuing comprehensive understanding and embracing spiritual truths without reservation.

This narrative underscores the transformative power of faith and the imperative of unreserved acceptance of spiritual enlightenment, transcending personal inclinations or misconceptions.

Fr Joseph Osho