This is the last weekday reading from Mark in Ordinary Time. We have reached the end of Christ’s public preaching. He will speak to his disciples about the “last days” (chapter 13) and then enter into the final stage of what he had to accomplish during his human lifetime, bringing all to its climax in his passion, death, and resurrection. 

It will not be the end of his mission. He will continue living in his risen body on earth, in the Church. As the liturgy sums up in praise to the Father: 

In fulfillment of your will, he gave himself up to death; 

But by rising from the dead, he destroyed death and restored life. 

And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for him, 

He sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father  

as his first gift to those who believe, 

to complete his work on earth 

and bring us the fullness of grace 

(Fourth Eucharistic Prayer). 

What was the final theme of Jesus’ preaching? It is no great surprise. He warned his disciples over and over again to shun power and prestige (9:35; 10:31; 10:44). But they never got the message. So, he makes it his final plea to them: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!” 

Why is Jesus so concerned about this? Isn’t it commonplace to give respectful titles to the modern “scribes,” the clergy and hierarchy who are official teachers in the Church, and to seat them up front in church and at banquets? Haven’t we taken this for granted—for centuries? At least since church officials were given political status, authority, and accompanying protocol in countries where Church and state exercised overlapping roles. Should we be concerned about this? 

Few modern churchmen can be accused of “devouring widows’ houses.” But when any group of officials, secular or ecclesiastic, accepts an isolating protocol that separates them from the common folk, then only a few people will speak to them frankly, especially to criticize. The result of this is deadly. At least Jesus thought it was for his Church. 

Whom does Jesus praise as contributing most to the Church? “A poor widow who put in two small copper coins, worth about a penny.” That is what the Church leaves us to think about at the end of the readings from Mark. 

Today’s Psalm (#71): “I will sing of Your salvation.” 

Prayer Prompt: How can I be sure that I don’t take protocol for granted, at least in the Church? How do I react to it? How should I? 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #358, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.