The gospel lectionary reading for Trinity 21 in this Year B is Mark 10.35–45. The lectionary choice is unfortunate this week, in that it cuts out the verses following last week’s read, Mark 10.32–34.
In John 7 Jesus tells his brothers he is not going to the Feast of Booths, but then he does. We must understand what the brothers are suggesting here and what Jesus is saying he is not going to do.
So, the parents in this gospel who sought a blessing from Jesus weren’t being emotional but hard-headedly pragmatic: their aim was to secure a return on their investment, namely, the safe arrival of ...