Father Thomas Welbers' Homily	Jump back to Homily Index
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 21, 2003 Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 James 3:16-4:3 Mark 9:30-37	Listen to Audio

Mark, the writer of the Gospel we are hearing during this liturgical year, was not a reporter or a journalist in the modern sense of the word. He wasn’t standing there with notepad in hand or mini-recorder in pocket taking down every word spoken or following every movement of Jesus and his disciples. He probably wasn’t even an eyewitness to the events he writes about. He’s not named among the Apostles, and there’s not even any evidence placing him among the many unnamed disciples.

In modern literary categories, Mark was probably more of an essayist. He was writing from a particular point of view – everything he wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was designed to convince the reader that Jesus was not only the Messiah, the Anointed One expected by the Jews, but also truly the Son of God – something which came as an unexpected surprise to Jews, including Jesus’ closest disciples.

They were prepared for a Messiah who would be a great conquering hero and dominant political leader – that’s what motivated their argument about jockeying for position as members of his cabinet when he came into power. They were not prepared for him to be the Son of God whose message is that true greatness comes only through self-denial, humble service, and following him in his cross. They weren’t prepared for his suffering and death, nor for his resurrection, nor for the message that they must follow him there. Are we prepared for it?

Of course we are not prepared for that message. Not one of us lives consistently in humility and service; each one of us resists and sometimes outright rejects the opportunities to embrace Jesus’ cross that God sends or allows to come our way.

Take heart. The Apostles, even in their dazed confusion and failure to understand the message of Jesus that we just heard so clearly, they show us the way. The beginnings of our Retreat for Everyday Life also help us along this same way.

Mark’s gospel was written long after these events happened – at least 35 or 40 years, maybe more. Where did he get his materials? Possibly some of what he wrote came from direct contact with the Apostles and disciples who were eyewitness, and much of it certainly came from the stories and traditions that had become part of the living faith of the early Christian communities. In other words, what he wrote was already alive in the hearts of believers.

Now, put yourself in the position of the Apostles after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, and after the Holy Spirit had come upon them to send them forth to give witness that Jesus is truly the Son of God. Think about how hard it must have been for them to admit publicly, and even allow it to be preserved in writing for all ages, that they were dummies, that they had been blinded by their expectations and their pride. But it’s only when they could admit their own mistakes and emptiness, that Jesus could correct them and fill them with himself. Only when they had put aside themselves and their ambitions could they be instruments of his word and his love.

During these first two weeks of the Retreat for Everyday Life, we are asked to review our past, calling images to mind as vividly as we can. For myself, this past week included some surprises, both gratifying and sometimes painful or embarrassing.

This coming week, the retreat guide presents us with some questions as we continue to review the events of our lives, our own personal story. Where did we find God present and active, even if we didn’t know it at the time? Where in our story are the crossroads, the decisions that took us one way or another, the decisions that made us what we are today? Where was God in those times, even if we were not aware of him?

One of the graces of this second week of the retreat may be the same as the Apostles received – to be able to look back at the mistakes and painful realities of our past lives and say, “It’s OK; I don’t have to deny them; I don’t have to hide from them. God is at work in me, even in my shortcomings.”

The ultimate grace of the retreat is simply to allow God to change us as he wants, not as we want. God makes us perfect in his way, not according to our ideas and ideals of perfection. That’s why it can be so encouraging to know that the Apostles were arrogant, obtuse dummies while Jesus patiently tried to teach them and turn their minds around from themselves to him. If he could transform them, surely he can transform us.

I’d like to ask you to note that the guide for the second week of the Retreat for Everyday Life is included in the Bulletin today as an insert, and well as on the website. If you can, it is most helpful to make use of the internet resources through our website, but the printed copies are also available and will provide all the resources you need. If you need a copy of the first week’s guide, there are extras at the Welcome Table and at the parish office. Beginning next week, the printed guides will no longer be in the bulletin, but there will be plenty at the Welcome Table and the parish office.

Also note, that next week, after several of the Masses, will be an opportunity to gather for a short time in the auditorium to share how the retreat is going, and to clarify any questions you may have. I believe that this Retreat for Everyday Life is a great gift to the Church and to our own individual lives and our parish community. I pray that it will be a time of great graces for you – surprising, perhaps difficult, but ultimately rewarding beyond all expectations.

© Thomas Welbers 2003