Commentary

Jeremiah 11:18-20
The narrator (prophet) tells the readers that the Lord has shown him what they had
planned to do. Because of his naivete, the narrator (prophet) did not know that the
evil ones had planned to completely wipe him and his memory from the face of
the earth. The narrator (prophet) wants the L ORD to judge the evil ones.

Jeremiah 11:18 It was the L ORD who made it known to me – All by himself, the
prophet would never have discovered the plans others had made for him.

Jeremiah 11:19 I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter – The objective of
their scheming was to kill the prophet.
so that his name will no longer be remembered – This is the great fear for
all humanity. That is why we attempt to make our name in the world, have
children, and do things that last.

Jeremiah 11:20 let me see your retribution upon them – Justice is what the
prophet wants.

Psalm 54
The psalmist is pleading with God to be saved since the evil people of the world
have tried to take his life. The narrator acknowledges that they do not know God
and that it is this God who provides the narrator with his very life. The narrator is
confident that God will judge the evildoers. It appears that the Lord punished those
who stood against the psalmist since the narrator tells us that God has protected
him from his enemies.

Psalm 54:1 Save me, O God – Far too often, we make “salvation” to be something
that happens long after we die. The author of the psalm pleads for help in
the present time.

Psalm 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God – This is our constant fear. That the L ORD
ignores what we say.

Psalm 54:3 For the insolent have risen against me – The narrator starts to list all
the enemies that he faces.

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 Psalm 54:4 But surely, God is my helper – The author reminds the L ORD of His
calling. The L ORD frees slaves.
the L ORD is the upholder of my life – Even life itself comes from the L ORD.

Psalm 54:5 He will repay my enemies for their evil – The psalmist calls out for
justice in the present age.

Psalm 54:6 With a freewill-offering I will sacrifice to you – This gift is given to
the L ORD without any prior obligation.

Psalm 54:7 For he has delivered me from every trouble – This is a reminder that
the L ORD saves His people in the present time.

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

The author of James argues that wisdom is found in a person’s gentleness toward
others. According to the narrator, all pride and ambition comes not from God but
instead from here on earth. God does not give us things for our own benefit. Rather,
submit yourself to God’s will and you will then move towards God because God
comes to you.

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? – The question set be-
fore the audience is one of where the hearer must distinguish between the
foolish, which is the way of death, and the way of wisdom that brings life.
Show by your good life – The argument here is that faith and life must be
one and the same.

James 3:14 if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition – This outward signs
show others how you really live.

James 3:15 earthly, unspiritual, devilish – The soil of the earth has influenced
what fruits the plant gives.

James 3:16 there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind – This way
of life naturally leads to other conclusions.

James 3:17 wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to
yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy
– The way of life from God the Father is visibly different from the rest of
the world.

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 James 3:18 a harvest of righteousness – There is a benefit to this lifestyle in the
present time.

James 4:1 conflicts and disputes – The author will argue that these types of be-
haviors are ultimately rooted in our desire to have something that is not
ours.

James 4:2 You do not have, because you do not ask. – This sentence seems out
of place in the arguments since the author has been arguing that fights are
rooted in our need to have everything. Now, the writer of the letter states
that the reason for want is due to our inability to ask. From what follows,
the petition that should arise in these situations is a pray to the Lord.

James 4:3

ldots What is left out in the lectionary is a condemnation of those who “run
around” with what the world has to offer, an acknowledgement that humans
want everything, and the realization that God gives grace (beauty) to His
followers.

James 4:7

James 4:8

Mark 9:30-37
This is the second passion prediction in Mark. We have skipped the transfiguration
and a healing of a demon possessed boy.

Mark 9:30 They went on from there – This is “the end of Jesus’ public ministry
in Galilee.”1
He did not want anyone to know it – Does this phrase refer back to the trav-
els of Jesus or does it address the inability of Jesus to inform the disciples
what was happening right before their eyes?

Mark 9:31 he was teaching – Since Jesus had so little success in teaching His
own disciples about the mystery of faith, should we expect any “better”
1
John R. Donahue, S.J. and Daniel J. Harrington, S.J.; Idem, editor, The Gospel of Mark,
Volume 2, Sacra Pagina, (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002), p. 283.

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 successes? The use of the imperfect tense shows that Jesus repeated His
teachings over and over again.2
human hands – The “representatives” of everyone are responsible for His
death.3
he will rise again Here and in Mark 10:34, the author uses this formula
instead of the more familiar “He was raised.”4
In the transfiguration, the disciples saw the dead but they still do not believe
that Jesus will live again.
Mark 9:32 they did not understand and were afraid to ask him – It appears that
the disciples are regressing.5
Mark 9:33 on the way – Not only does this show the disciples misunderstanding
on this trip but it may also show their total lack of understanding.
Mark 9:34 silent – Rember what Mark 9:32 said. The disciples do not want to
ask Jesus a question.
who was the greatest – In a society that used honor and shame to keep the
people in place, this was a normal and everyday discussion.6
Mark 9:35 He sat down – School now is in session for the followers of Jesus.
first must be last of all and servant of all – This statement subverts the norms
of Jesus’ society.7 It also turns our world upside down where the majority
of “wealth” is owned by the minority.
Mark 9:36 a little child – A child in first century Palestine had no legal rights
and no status in society.8 Who in our society today is in the same situation?
Immigrants.
Mark 9:37 welcomes one such child in my name – This is not anonymous help
but a specific act of kindness that is performed in Christ’s name.9
2
Donahue and Harrington, Mark, p. 283.
3
Brian P. Stoffregen, Mark 9.30-37 Proper 20 - Year B, http://www.crossmarks.com/
brian/mark9x30.htm.
4
Donahue and Harrington, Mark, p. 284.
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid.
7
Ibid., p. 285.
8
Ibid.
9
Ibid.

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References
Donahue, S.J., John R. and Harrington, S.J., Daniel J.; Idem, editor, The Gospel
of Mark, Volume 2, Sacra Pagina, (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press,
2002).

Stoffregen, Brian P., Mark 9.30-37 Proper 20 - Year B, http://

www.crossmarks.com/brian/mark9x30.htm, Last checked on
September 19, 2009.