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| Mark 10:35-45 |
In
today’s Gospel two of Jesus’ Apostles, James and John, say to Jesus, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of
you. What a bold question to ask! Jesus, our loving God who knows each of
us and knows what is best for us replies lovingly, what do you wish me to do for you? Jesus was sent by the Father to
serve others and to show others the path to Heaven that comes from uniting
themselves to Jesus. What James and John ask for, however, is not something
that Jesus can give. They ask if they can sit at his right and left hand in Heaven,
if they can have the place of honor next to Jesus. Instead of being focused on
others they are focused on only themselves. Yet Jesus does not even deny James
and John this request because Jesus wants each of us to share in the abundance
of God’s love and goodness, rather, He simply asks James and John if they are
ready to follow Him and share in His life, both in the good moments and the difficult
ones.
Following
in the example of Jesus is not easy or conventional, it is radical. Jesus shows
us a radical, self-giving love by serving others in every moment of life regardless
of ethnicity, religion, or social status. To follow Jesus is to listen to his words
to the Apostles at the Last Supper instituting a ritual meal after he knelt
down to wash their feet: this is my body
given up for you, do this in memory of me. When we listen to these words at
Mass we believe that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is made present
among us in the Eucharist. As the priest blesses and lifts up the bread and the
wine saying do this in memory of me we should look to the crucifix in the church and recall
the last days of Jesus’ life from the Last Supper through his death and
resurrection. Each time we say Amen and
receive the Eucharist we affirm our belief that we are the Beloved Sons and
Daughters of God and that we are willing to live up to our identity and calling
to follow Jesus through His Paschal Mystery (life, death, resurrection) in our
own lives.
Questions for Reflection and
Discussion:
-How
do I respond when I have pain, frustration or suffering in life?
-How
does trying to live like Jesus change my understanding of suffering or
sacrifices in my life?
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