Too Much Information
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
There is a common expression: “Too much information!” We usually use it when people tell us details about their lives that we don’t want or need to know. Today, when James and John ask Jesus a simple question, making their request for places of honor in the kingdom, a simple answer might have been in order. Instead, as he often does, Jesus answers a question with a question; today it’s about drinking the cup of suffering. Then, once the others are indignant over James and John’s outrageous request, he proceeds to give them what may have been “too much information” for followers who were simply interested in the pursuit of glory. But this information, though it can sometimes seem “too much” for us, is essential for our lives as disciples. In Isaiah, in Hebrews, and in Mark today, we learn this information. It is in suffering, in weakness, in self-giving service to others, that we come to understand the kingdom. It is the information we need to find our place and come to be honored in the reign of God.
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Readings for the Week
Monday: Eph 2:1-10; Ps 100:1b-5; Lk 12:13-21
Tuesday: Eph 2:12-22; Ps 85:9ab-14; Lk 12:35-38
Wednesday: Eph 3:2-12; Is 12:2-3, 4bcd-6; Lk 12:39-48
Thursday: Eph 3:14-21; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Lk 12:49-53
Friday: Eph 4:1-6; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 12:54-59
Saturday: Eph 4:7-16; Ps 122:1-5; Lk 13:1-9
Sunday: Jer 31:7-9; Ps 126:1-6; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:46-52
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time; World Mission Sunday
Monday: St. John Paul II
Tuesday: St. John of Capistrano
Wednesday: St. Anthony Mary Claret
Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary