Short and Direct

Homily for Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

As we re-enter Ordinary Time, we turn back to the Gospel of St. Mark and pick up just about where we left off before we entered Lent. Today’s Gospel text is typical of St. Mark’s writing style. His Gospel is the shortest of the four. His writing style is spare and direct. He doesn’t use five words when two will do.

Today we hear Jesus speak of his coming passion, death, and resurrection. His clipped comments on what is happening are often pregnant with insight into human nature. Earlier Jesus had shocked the disciples with words similar to those that we hear today. He simply repeats his former words with an added reference to his rising from the dead. “But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.”

I think we can readily understand why they did not understand what Jesus was talking about. What kind of miracle worker and man from God is this who will be put to death? Even if they had some inkling of what he was trying to say, “they were afraid to question him.” They didn’t want to hear any more about such a distasteful subject.

When they get back to Capernaum, Jesus asks them what they were discussing. “They remained silent.” They didn’t want him to talk anymore about his passion, and they didn’t want to talk about their discussion. They were embarrassed to tell him that they were looking ahead to the time when he would no longer be there while trying to decide who would take charge. Obviously, they had good reason for not wanting to talk about their discussion. Jesus’ approach was not one of power but of service. Jesus was trying to teach them the “power-less” way of life.

Apparently, the apostles would have fit very well into our culture and our society. All around us there are people who are trying to gain power. Fewer and fewer are dedicating their lives to service. Yes, St. Mark’s Gospel is short and direct. However, it delivers the same message as the others. To be first, one must be last.