A reading from the holy Gospel of Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
REFLECTION: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The apostles were arguing amongst themselves regarding who would sit at either side of Jesus. Jesus quickly tells them they do not know what they are asking because to be close to Jesus requires a lot of sacrifice and James and John did not yet understand what cup the Lord had for them to drink.
When Jesus called the 12 apostles to be his inner circle for teaching and evangelizing, he did not mean for them to be the new Pharisees, a better improved group of religious leaders. He meant for them to be exactly like him. Jesus, though king, came to serve his creation. He was a heavenly king and not an earthly king. He expects his followers to drink his cup as well --the cup he gives to us to drink . We are meant to serve others, either through work, advice, money, cooking meals , driving to places and as far as actually laying down our lives in physical and spiritual suffering and servitude.
What greater joy to love so much that each and every day our little and big sacrifices are done for the sake of Jesus Christ . Working for God and His kingdom is not a competition. Everyone working for God will receive a seat of honor at the banquet table in heaven. We are a part of a team and the gifts given to us will be used in spreading the Kingdom of God.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, make me your servant and a servant for others. When I complain, remind me, that you are giving me a servant's heart, so to please cool down and quit feeling overworked. This is the cup God has given me to drink. Give me the strength to keep steady on this journey. Keep me from harm's way , let us not fight against ourselves. Amen
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