10th Sunday, Ordinary Time [B]


TENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME 


Once again we hear a selection from St. Mark—our primary Gospel source for cycle “B.”  How does he introduce the ministry of Jesus? The mission of salvation begins with Jesus delivering a proclamation: The Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15). How will this message be received? Some are ready to accept this announcement. Meanwhile, there are others who will stand in opposition to Jesus. For example, the Scribes insist that the miracles performed by Jesus are not evidence of the Kingdom, but rather they reveal the influence of demonic activity. Essentially, the claim is that Jesus has aligned himself with Beelzebub, the Prince of Demons. 


Jesus responds by issuing a warning: be careful; you’re playing with fire when you blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:22-30). When your hearts harden to the extent that you are formally rejecting the fruits of the Kingdom, this amounts to blasphemy, as far as Jesus is concerned. You’re crossing a line. You’re placing yourself in jeopardy. In some respects, you are carrying on the legacy of Eden. A line was crossed when our first parents chose to partake of the forbidden fruit. A line was crossed—but was the Kingdom being formally rejected? 


Actually, no. They simply wanted to advance. According to the serpent, they would be elevating their status. But instead, they become reduced. Is it wrong to want to elevate yourself? That depends. In the case of Adam and Eve, the approach proves to be problematic. How do you go about the process of elevating yourself? In that original setting, God was tuned out. They had God tuned out so that they could be tuned in on the serpent. Based on what transpires in Eden, we know what NOT to do. Meanwhile, we’re left wondering what it is that we SHOULD do? Is there a legitimate approach that we can pursue? Or does the desire to elevate yourself always constitute something sinful? 


Here is where we might want to factor in the other readings. Paul talks about looking to what is unseen (2nd Cor. 4:18). We can apply these words to the practice of baptism. We know that the symbol of water figures prominently when a baptism is taking place. The challenge, however, is to look beyond, to appreciate the invisible reality. This is not just somebody getting wet. The one receiving baptism is now being welcomed into the Lord’s broader family. Note how this Gospel passage concludes: is the Virgin Mary being de-emphasized? Jesus makes it clear that nobody is being demoted or de-emphasized. 


The point is that those who listen to Jesus have the potential to become elevated through the offer of baptism. We’ve discovered the legitimate process through which elevation can be brought about. The newly baptized take on an updated status; suddenly they rank as family! It’s not as if they are simply joining a club. If they are joining anything, it would have to be described as the Family of Faith. We typically think in narrow terms when it comes to the Lord’s family. This selection from Mark indicates that we are being allowed to think in broader terms (Mark 3:35). There is such a thing as legitimate elevation. 


We read about an illegitimate attempt in Genesis chapter three. Additionally, it’s worth keeping in mind that Jesus will come to be acknowledged as the New Adam (see Rom. 5:15-21). He establishes a sacramental path, and enhancement awaits those who step onto this path. The original Adam charts a path that brings regret. Meanwhile, the New Adam charts a path that brings enhancement—not just enhancement, but a legitimate brand of enhancement. 


Baseball players have been known to build themselves up through the illicit use of performance enhancing drugs. Can we associate Albert Pujols with this crowd? After all, he’s a built up player who has hit over seven hundred home-runs. When scrutinized, the Cardinal first baseman responds with an invitation: “Test me anytime; I have an open door policy.” In other words, his enhancement can be regarded as legitimate enhancement. He builds himself up the old fashioned way: through training and discipline. There is such a thing as legitimate elevation. Albert Pujols points the way, from an athletic perspective. Mark chapter three points the way, when we shift from the athletic arena to the spiritual arena. 

 

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