Word Wide Open: The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 10/17/21

First Reading (Isaiah 53:10-11)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

The LORD was pleased

    to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,

    he shall see his descendants in a long life,

    and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction

    he shall see the light in fullness

        of days;

through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,

    and their guilt he shall bear.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why must a sacrifice be made in order to pay for sins?


Second Reading (Hebrews 4:14-16)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin. 

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How did Jesus experience the weakness of humanity without sinning? 

Gospel (Mark 10:35-45)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,

"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 

He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" 

They answered him, "Grant that in your glory

we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." 

Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. 

Can you drink the cup that I drink

or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 

They said to him, "We can." 

Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,

and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;

but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give

but is for those for whom it has been prepared." 

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 

Jesus summoned them and said to them,

"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles

lord it over them,

and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 

But it shall not be so among you.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 

For the Son of Man did not come to be served

but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What is the cup they all will drink? How are true leaders servants to others?