The Least Lead

The wisdom of Sirach in the texts from the RomanCatholic Lectionary today is centred on trust in the Lord. The author advises that our path may take us through testing and calamity. The cliché that gold is tested in fire is presented in this text. The author requests that we consider salvation history and take understanding from the lives of those before us who have been sustained by God through difficulty, humiliation and rejection. The Gospel from Mark today begins with Jesus instruction to His disciples that He will endure betrayal to the authorities and death at their hands. This death will be followed three days later by rising again. The technique used by Mark in his writing supports the reading of the text to his audience. He quickly makes the point about Jesus death and resurrection leaving the reader with the sense of the confusion which must have been in the minds of the disciples. Mark uses the next paragraph to instruct the audience on humility and the leadership of the Messiah from the position of least in the society. Commentators note that he presents Jesus as the Messiah who comes to die for His people rather than meet the expectations of the return of a Davidic Kingdom to the Jewish people. The psalmist praises God who responds to our patience and trust with restoration and protection. We are thankful for the sustaining life of the Love of God as we seek the fortitude and patience which supports our journey.