TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, OCTOBER 17, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

REFLECTION

.." whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all."

If we want to move toward a goal, what would we pray for? Would it be hesitancy, doubt, fear or self sacrifice, perseverance, and faithfulness?

To reach God and eternity, to hear the words, “well done“ when we stand alone in judgment, setting high standards and following the leader is best.

But keep it simple…serve God in the most humble task.

If the goal is God, we strife to be like His Son and, therefore, conform to His identity. When we sit and ponder Him, our experience of Him jumps out —a suffering servant.

And so, we pick up where Jesus left us, as we hand over ourselves for the sake of others. Hopefully we can open hearts onto Christ's own heart

God bless you