JESUS SAID TO THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE: WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?

JESUS SAID TO THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE: WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?

(A biblical reflection on the 29^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME –17 October 2021)

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:35-45

First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalms: Psalm 33:4-5,18-19,20,22; Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16

The Scripture Text

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Him, and said to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And they said to Him, “Grant us to sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what You are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able.” And 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 hand or at My left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45 RSV)

If you had one wish, what would you ask for? Good health and long life? Wealth? Power? The conversion of loved ones? Honor and praise from others?

How about meaningful work with a lot of suffering and few external rewards?

When James and John asked for seats of honor and authority in Jesus’ Kingdom, the other apostles/disciples became indignant, apparently jealous of being passed over. But Jesus gently asked these two men whether they were prepared to follow Him down the only road to His Kingdom, which is the way of the cross.

Baptized into His death, all Christians will reign with Him. But how do we live out the reality of that union? Jesus tells us we won’t find good models in secular society, where leaders “lord it over” those they are called to lead. For this, we have to look to Jesus, who came as “the slave of all,” and to the men and women who imitated Him. Saints Francis of Assisi, Elizabeth of Hungary, Frances of Rome, Damien of Molokai are only a very few of such imitators of Christ.

One such woman of the 20^th century was Mother Teresa of Calcutta. For more than fifty years, Mother Teresa dedicated herself to serving the “poorest of the poor” throughout the world. Along with sisters who joined her religious congregation, she did not just help the poor; she lived among them, embracing a life of poverty in imitation of Jesus, who also became poor so that we could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). And as she did, she discovered the same truth about material goods that Jesus sought to teach James and John about prestige and worldly respect. “The more you have, the more you are occupied, and the less you give. But the less you have, the freer you are. Poverty for us is a freedom.”

Because she wanted to be filled only with Christ, Mother Teresa was able to give generously, both of herself and of Jesus, love. Often, the work was exhausting and thankless. But it also generated laughter, hope, and glimpses of the glory of God…… a perfect joy! Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and ask Him to help us serve as fully as He – and all the saints – did.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, You upheld Jesus throughout His life. Grant me eyes of faith to see You and the heart of compassion to share You with others. Make me a living witness to the love that can transform the world. Amen.HisHis

Jakarta, 16 October 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

LUKE 12:8-9 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 12:8-12)

Jakarta, 16 October 2021

A Christian Pilgrim