October 17, 2021 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Lord, let your mercy be on us as we place our trust in you.”

Psalm 33:22

Readings

Isaiah 53:10-11

Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16

Gospel According to Mark 10:35-45

Reflection

by Sister Jane Hibbard, SNJM

Pondering, that is, taking time to read and reflect on the scripture of this day…..giving the time to let it influence our personal spiritual journey. Last week we heard: “The word of God is living and effective…..” (Hebrews 4:12-13) That is an invitation to us to listen deeply. I invite you to ponder with attention the scripture of this day.

Isaiah forecasts Christ….willing to live on this earth and take on all sin to free us from guilt and see “light in the fullness of days.” God willing to become human and live and die for us is a profound mystery that we can never fully apprehend.

Because of that we can “confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” as the scripture invites us to do in the second reading from Hebrews today.

This week’s Gospel caught my attention in a very personal way.

Jesus says to the two sons of Zebedee….looking for special favors:

“WHAT DO YOU WISH ME TO DO FOR YOU?” Jesus is asking us the same question. How am I, how are you going to answer that question? He really wants to know. What do we want Jesus to do for us? Presuming that He knows what we need before we can even ask for it, how can I attune my desires with the desire He has for me?

I invite you to ponder the readings quietly and listen as they are living and active for you.

From the Rule of St. Benedict

“What page, what passage of the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments is not the truest of guides for human life? What book of holy writers does not resoundingly summon us along the true way to reach the Creator?” RB 73:3-4

Gospel Acclamation

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45