Mark 9:33-35 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way? But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

   and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

   and to walk humbly with your God?

Luke 14:11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Eph.4:1-2 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Col. 3:12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Jam. 4:6 But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, God opposes the proud,

 but gives grace to the humble.

Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples a second time that Jesus will be betrayed, killed and rise again on the third day. Jesus knows that he is running out of time. Jesus is instructing the disciples because although they know he is the Son of the Living God, they do not know what is ahead. They will soon be headed for Jerusalem and Jesus needs the disciples to understand the truth about what is about to happen. The disciples are so confused about Jesus’ self-sacrificing love that they argue who is greatest among them. It will take the resurrection for the disciples to catch on. Judas will betray Jesus, Peter will deny knowing him, the rest of the disciples will hide in the upper room for their very lives as Jesus is crucified. Today’s lesson is about humility. May the Spirit of Truth guide us down this path gently.

In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan

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