30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Prayer
Father, may Your will be done. Help us to remember that we have a place in Your Kingdom, where You live and reign, together with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Commentary
1st Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9
As we continue with the theme – Our Holy Kingdom – we turn our attention to what the Kingdom of God has in store for us.
The Prophet Jeremiah tells of a just God who gathers the remnant — the forgotten, the poor, the blind and the lame — from the ends of the world. These too shall inherit the kingdom.
As we recall from last week’s readings, approaching the throne of grace and God’s Kingdom does not mean that we are to expect places of honor in this life or in the life to come. However, we should expect a level playing field where all are seated at His table.
Our Heavenly Kingdom will only include co-heirs to the royal household of God. There will no longer be vassals under kings or princes. Rather, all will have an equal status. All will share the royal Blood of the same Christ and King.
The concept that we all have a place in the royal household of God should cause joy in our hearts. We no longer have to fight for status or prove ourselves to anyone. We are God’s beloved and that is all that matters.
Question:
Have you ever considered yourself as royalty?
2nd Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6
Our Holy Kingdom is not a place for us to glorify ourselves. Neither in this life, nor in the life to come, are we to find places of honor.
Hebrews reminds us that that even Jesus did not seek such honors: “It was not Christ who glorified himself.” Rather, His Heavenly Father glorified Jesus when God said, “You are my son: this day I have begotten you.”
Through Baptism in Christ, we are born again and begotten by our Heavenly Father. Not through generation are we a part of royalty. Rather, through regeneration in the waters of Baptism and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made co-heirs and rightful members of the royal family of God.
This is all made possible because of Jesus the High Priest who offered Himself up to God as a priestly sacrifice. If Christ did not glorify Himself, then there is no way we can expect heaven if we seek vain glory for ourselves.
Question:
Have you ever tried to be recognized for your accomplishments? In the eternal plan of things, how has that worked out for you?
Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
Our Gospel ties neatly with the 1st Reading where the blind shall be welcomed in God’s fold.
The proclamation of the Kingdom of God is more than words of an ancient prophet. It is now being fulfilled in word and deed through Jesus Christ who heals Bartimaeus, the blind man.
It is interesting to note that Bartimaeus recognizes Jesus as the Son of David. He recognizes him as one from the royal line of King David when he hears that Jesus is of Nazareth. As Pope Emeritus Benedict points out in his book, Jesus of Nazareth, the Hebrew root for Nazareth is nazare, which means shoot – as in, “the shoot from the stump of Jesse (Father of King David).”
The prophetic message of Jeremiah is finally being fulfilled by one who is even greater than King David.
The “level road” of God’s Kingdom is being accomplished as the blind and the lame are gathered by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus the Christ.
Question:
How do you see the promise of God’s Kingdom being fulfilled in our world today?
This Week’s Task
Many people focus on the doom and gloom of things and see the world as half empty. They assume that the Lord is coming soon with hell-fire and brimstone.
Others see the Kingdom of God breaking into the world through mercy, justice, love and compassion.
Take time this week to focus on three ways in which the Kingdom of God is breaking into our world today.
Group Prayer
The group this prayer of hope:
Lord,
help us to seek your kingdom above all things.
May your kingdom come! Amen.
Continue with Psalm 126.
Psalm
Response: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Conclude with an Our Father
Used with permission. All rights reserved. Christ in Our Neighborhood is a Scripture program designed by Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix.