29th Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]
October 17, 2021
Mark 10:35-45

James and John are seeking second-most prized positions in the kingdom. To be seated at the king’s right and left means to co-reign with the king himself. Going back to the Old Testament, one who was seated at the right of King Salomon was no other than his queen-mother, Bathsheba. The king himself highly respected the queen-mother, and she was wielding considerable power [1 Sam 1 – 2].

What makes this episode more intriguing is that James and John attempt to grap this position by the shrewd plot. They go directly to Jesus and seize the opportunity when the rest of the disciples are busy with other things. Indeed, when the other disciples are aware of their plot, they become indignant. Why? They also desire the same spot and the power it brings.

Why is it that the disciples are obsessed with power and position? Why do we want power so badly? Simply put, power is the ability to control oneself and others. When we can do what we need to do and what we want to do, we are powerful. When we can control and influence others, we are even more powerful. When we are powerful, we are in control, and when we are in charge, we feel good about ourselves. No wonder if we want power.

Is power something terrible? Not at all! Like other things in this world, power may serve a good purpose. With power, we can perform things that make us grow and achieve our fullest potential. With power, we can help others, and the community achieves progress, prosperity, and the common good. With power, we can prevent others from harming themselves and others. However, like other earthly things, power is susceptible to abuse. The same power can be used to manipulate and destroy ourselves and others.

Jesus understands well the dynamics of power. He does not teach that power is evil, nor something to be eliminated. Instead, He points out the true purpose of power. Jesus shows that power is not about having military might or economic forces. The genuine use of power is to serve one another. Jesus even goes one step further that the freest and most powerful man is the one who freely gives up his life so that others may have life to the fullest. True power is not about having and accumulating more power and control but giving and empowering others. Power corrupts when inside our hearts are slaved by sins.

What is impressive about power is that practically everyone has it. Now, it is up to us to use this power to serve others or to destroy them. A mother may exercise her power over her baby in her womb by taking care of the baby, but the same mother may use her power to destroy and abort it. A priest can exercise his power to sanctify his people and educate them in the ways of the Lord, or he can use them to gain a more comfortable life and even popularity. Jesus reminds us that there is no greater power than one who freely offers his life so that others may live to the fullest.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP
photocredit: jasmin staab