18th Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
The eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost continues the difference of understanding between Jesus and the disciples regarding what it means to follow him. This is the second time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus reveals his true destiny. He is going to the cross (Mark 9:31). After Peter is strongly rebuked the first time (Mark 8:31-33), they hesitate to ask what that means. Instead, they decided to debate among themselves who was the greatest. Jesus tries to explain to them again: to deny oneself and lift the cross is to be a servant of all (8:34; 9:35). It is to welcome the most vulnerable – even children – for by doing so, the disciples invite what God is doing among them (9:37).
Jeremiah reminds God’s people that to welcome what God is doing through the great reversal – the greatest becoming the lowest – is to place oneself in a position of vulnerability. Those who speak on God’s behalf risk being removed from the land of the living and forgotten (11:19).
The author of the Epistle of James gives insight to those who follow the example of the “prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” (James 5:10). In addition to endurance (5:11), they show wisdom by being “peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits (3:17).”
The Psalmist gives praise to God:
“With a freewill offering, I will sacrifice to you;
I will thank your name, O LORD, for it is good.
For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies (Psalm 54:6-7; NRSVue).”
Bridging Faith 