ACC ~ Mark 9 v33 - 37

OVERVIEW:

The key mark of discipleship is servanthood (GREGORY OF NYSSA). The text teaches that discipleship grows first by a downward, lowly movement, as a tree seeking roots, in order then to reach skyward (AUGUSTINE). Be ready to receive the lowly neighbor as if sent by Christ (TERTULLIAN). The disciplines of humility are most pertinent to those most prone to vanity (CHRYSOSTOM). Childlike innocence is characteristic of those who dwell in the kingdom of God (SHEPHERD OF HERMAS).

9:34 | They Discussed Who Was the Greatest

ROOTING BY DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

AUGUSTINE: Observe a tree, how it first tends downwards, that it may then shoot forth upwards. It fastens its root low in the ground, that it may send forth its top towards heaven. Is it not from humility that it endeavors to rise? But without humility it will not attain to higher things. [1] You are wanting to grow up into the air without a root. Such is not growth, but a collapse. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, SERMON 38. [2]

[1] Cf. Prov 18:12.

[2] Cetedoc 0284, 117.38.671.39; GC 1:215*.

9:35 | If Any One Would Be First, He Must Be Last of All and Servant of All

GUILELESS COHESION

GREGORY OF NYSSA: Let vanity be unknown among you. Let simplicity and harmony and a guileless attitude weld the community together. Let each remind himself that he is not only subordinate to the brother at his side, but to all. [1] If he knows this, he will truly be a disciple of Christ. ON THE CHRISTIAN MODE OF LIFE 8.1. [2]

[1] Cf. Gal 5:13-14.

[2] TLG 2014.024, 8.1.70.20-71.3; FC 58:147*.

THE PURSUIT OF MEEKNESS

CHRYSOSTOM: If you are in love with precedence and the highest honor, pursue the things in last place, pursue being the least valued of all, pursue being the lowliest of all, pursue being the smallest of all, pursue placing yourselves behind others. THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 58. [1]

[1] TLG 2062.152, 58.568.60-569.3; NPNF 1 10:360.

9:36 | He Put a Child in the Midst of Them

THE CHILD AS PATTERN

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS: They are as veritable infants, whose hearts do not invent evil, who hardly know what corruption is, and who have remained childlike forever. People such as these, therefore, undoubtedly dwell in the kingdom of God, because they in no way defile God’s commandments, but have continued in innocence all the days of their lives in the same state of mind. SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 3.9.29. [1]

[1] AF 284*; cf. TLG 1419.001, 106.1.2-3.1.

9:37 | Whoever Receives Me, Receives Not Me but Him Who Sent Me

RECEIVING AND OFFERING REFRESHMENT

TERTULLIAN: Do not receive without prayer one who enters your house, especially if that one is a stranger, lest he turn out to be an angelic messenger. [1] Do not offer your earthly refreshments prior to receiving heavenly refreshment. ON PRAYER 26. [2]

[1] Cf. Heb 13:12.

[2] Cetedoc 0007, 26.1; ANF 3:690**.