As I look ahead to the upcoming Sunday’s readings I see we will be reading from the book of Wisdom 2:12; 17-20; James 3:16-4:3 and Gospel of Mark 9:30-37.
I find the reading from the book of Wisdom amusing and yet it gives me reason to ponder. In the Wisdom account we read the thoughts of the wicked one saying: “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us, he sets himself against our doings.”
The evil one is bothered by the just one doing good. I hope that the evil one sees a lot of good being done.
That means we are following God’s ways and not the evil one’s ways. The reading from James has much wisdom for us to ponder as well. Wisdom asks a question regarding where wars and conflicts arise. The author of wisdom goes on to remind us that it comes from our passions that make war within ourselves.
As I read the Gospel of Mark I read Jesus’ sharing of his upcoming suffering and death. The disciples do not quite understand or comprehend what Jesus is saying and yet they are afraid to question him to get clarification.
I wonder what would have happened if the disciples would have been brave enough to ask Jesus to explain what he meant and what their role would be in this event. I know at times I have been silent when people share a difficult bit of news with me and I am hesitant to ask them to elaborate.
I wonder how Jesus felt with the lack of response to him as they went on to discuss matters that concerned them. Instead of ministering to Jesus after his pronouncement of his upcoming suffering and death they go on to discuss who was the greatest! Jesus then ministers to them and gives them some wisdom: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” In summary of next Sunday’s readings I see the word “wisdom” comes out loud and clear.
First, the evil one is giving wisdom to his followers, second we see James giving wisdom regarding where wars and conflicts come, and lastly Jesus tries to give some wisdom to his followers and yet because they don’t understand and fail to ask for clarification Jesus goes on to minister to them in their need. What wisdom can you take from these scriptures? Hopefully we can ponder the scriptures and see what wisdom we can glean from it for our own lives.
