Lectio Divina: Mark 9: 30-37

This is the first installment in a series of blog posts that can be used as a Lectio Divina for middle school students. The post will guide you and your students through a brief study of the Gospel reading from Sunday’s Mass.

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Mark 9: 30-37

Silence

Before reading God’s word in Scripture, instruct students to settle down and wait for silence, remembering the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta that, “it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks.”  Allow for a brief period of silence then pray.

Prayer

Lord, inspire us to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night.  We beg you to give us real understanding of what we need, that we in turn may put its precepts into practice.  Yet we know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love.  So we ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into our hearts. Amen (Attributed to Origen Adamantius, 184-253 AD) 

Reading (Mark 9: 30-37)

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”

General Reflection Questions

(These questions are asked to the group, and all can participate in answering. The purpose is to discuss, in general, what is happening in the text. In other words, what is God saying to everyone in this Scripture passage?)

What is happening in the Gospel reading?  Jesus and his disciples are journeying through Galilee to Capernaum.

What is on Jesus’ mind as they travel to Capernaum? Jesus is telling his disciples about what will soon take place. He will be handed over to the authorities and put to death, but he will rise on the third day.

What is the reaction of the disciples to what Jesus tells them?  They don’t understand but are afraid to ask any questions. Part of their lack of understanding stems from their perception of what a Messiah is. How can a Messiah, a Savior of the world, lower himself to be subjected to ridicule, arrest, and death?

What do the disciples talk about instead?  They argue about which of them is the greatest.

How does Jesus respond?  He says that “anyone who wishes to be first, shall be last – a servant.”

Why does Jesus compare himself to a child?  A child is usually not given a place of great honor in society. Those who think highly of themselves would disregard children and have no use for them because of their lowly status. Jesus is the Messiah, but he didn’t come for honor or glory. He came only to serve, to do his Father’s will.

Personal Reflection Question

(This question is for individual, personal reflection, and students can write their response privately in their journals.)

In telling the disciples about his death and Resurrection, Jesus wants to show them what it means to serve. At the same time, they just don’t get it and can only argue about who is the greatest! What motivates me in life? Is it honor and prestige among my friends and classmates? Do I seek honor and glory for myself, or do I seek to serve?  What is something I can do this week to serve others (be specific)?

© 2018 Catechist’s Aide