Gospel in Miniature

Jesus' prediction of his suffering and death (and a resurrection of the third day) come in the liturgical year exactly halfway between one Holy Week and the next. The way things are put together in Year B—the year we follow Mark's gospel—we get illustrated for us Jesus' plan for a humble and selfless life, connected to his rejection by the leaders for this plan of life, and then that rejection's direct connection to his death. And we see both the mockery of his enemies (prophesied in Wisdom) and how God will vindicate his Messiah in his own time.

And yes, for the second time in three weeks I am getting this out on a Saturday afternoon before the next Sunday's homily get crafted. Technology hates me.