September 22, 2024
Revised Common Lectionary
Proverbs 31:10-31 or Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 1 or Psalm 54
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
Lectionary for Mass (RC)
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Psalm 54:3-4, 6, 6-8 (6b)
James 3:16-4:1
Mark 9:30-37
Silence:
the peaceful stillness of meditation,
the awkward space between new acquaintances,
the comfortable ease of being with a friend,
the grief-laden moment of remembrance.
Silence:
an evasive strategy for ignoring inconvenient truths,
a cruel failure in the face of injustice,
a powerful weapon of retaliation for injury,
a lonely haven for those left out.
In today’s Gospel reading
the disciples of Jesus fall silent
not once, but twice.
They were afraid
to ask him what he meant
when he told them—
for the second time—
that he would suffer, die, and rise again.
And so, out of fear
that they might hear a disturbing answer,
they kept quiet.
A robust and contentious debate
preceded their second silence.
Shame filled their hearts
and not a word was offered
as Jesus asked them the subject of their conversation.
How could they tell him
that they were arguing
about who was the greatest?
Silence came upon the disciples—
once out of fear
and once out of shame.
Let us today lay aside our fear and our shame,
to meet the message of Jesus
with a different kind of silence.
Let our silence today
express awe and thanksgiving
for the love of Christ,
who poured out his life
that we might live.
Let us in silence turn our lives over
to the one who has shown us the way,
so that we may be servants of all,
offering welcome
to the child and the stranger,
the prophet and the refugee,
the homeless and the prisoner.
A Hymn for Today: “Now the silence”
Silence can be the entry point for humans to experience the presence of God, and can often provide the deepest way in which God can be known in the human heart. Poet Jaroslav Vajda, FHS has created a text that reflects on the “now” of the encounter with God that we share first in the silence and then in the many dimensions of worship. Composer Carl Schalk, FHS wrote the tune that so beautifully invites singers to reflect on Vajda’s simple, powerful words. Listen here.
Now the silence
Now the peace
Now the empty hands uplifted
Now the kneeling
Now the plea
Now the Father’s arms in welcome
Now the hearing
Now the power
Now the vessel brimmed for pouring
Now the body
Now the blood
Now the joyful celebration
Now the wedding
Now the songs
Now the heart forgiven leaping
Now the Spirit’s visitation
Now the Son’s epiphany
Now the Father’s blessing
Now
Now
Now
Text: Jarlslav J. Vajda, 1919-2008. Copyright © 1969, Hope Publishing Company. Used by permission under OneLicense #A-729857
Tune: NOW, Carl J. Schalk, 1929-2021
Image Credit: Christ Teaching the Disciples, manuscript illustration, Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib, 1684
“Word and Song: A Lectionary Reflection” is written by the Executive Director of The Hymn Society, Rev. Dr. Mike McMahon. For his full bio, click here and scroll down to the “staff” section.
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