THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday offers us first of all a triple Christological profile: Jesus is presented as the Servant of YHWH (first reading), High Priest (second reading) and Son of Man (Gospel). Alongside this, we also have a definition of the nature of the Church (in continuity with Mk 9:30-50). Today’s pericope presents the tension that runs through the apostolic group due to the claim of the two brothers James and John, who asked the Master to sit with him in glory. Jesus then calls the disciples to himself again, as he had called them after Peter’s reaction in Caesarea Philippi (cf. Mk 8:34) and the discussion that had taken place about who was the greatest (cf. Mk 9:35). It is no mystery, but the disciples are pervaded by the mentality of the world, based on power and affirmation, while Jesus wants to introduce into history the great evangelical alternative of humble and disinterested service towards all. Jesus contrasts these two visions and forcefully states: “But it shall not be so among you” (Mk 10:43). Let us pay attention to this very important expression. Here Jesus does not formulate a wish or even an exhortation; he does not express a hope or a command. No, here the Master uses the constitutional present. It makes us reflect. Why? Because if it is not so, there is no Christian following and therefore not even Christian life, and much less a Christian community. In the evangelical space there is a real reversal of values—and this is because God reigns over it. And if it is true that God reigns, there can be no room for other lordships. The only space is that of service to God and to men. Whoever wants to be great will therefore become a servant (diakonos), whoever wants to be first will become a slave (doulos). This is the constitution of the Church of Christ: each is the servant of all. Pure and simple.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey