Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
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:
A young man aspired to become a priest. When he was asked by the person in charge of screening the aspirants why he wanted to become a priest, he said, "I want to serve the people, and I want to be their servant.
However, this was not his true motivation. The young man wanted to be a priest because he desired power. He wanted the people of his community to look up to him, and he yearned for their respect and adulation.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we have the brothers James and John, who asked to be seated beside Jesus in His kingdom. Why did they ask for this undeserved honor? What were they thinking when they made such a shameful request? Were they truly following Jesus to serve, or were they simply seeking power and adulation?
We can see that the real intention of James and John was to show the people that they were close to Jesus. In their minds, sitting beside Him symbolized power and influence. They believed that, like Jesus, they too would be revered and adored.
How many of us truly understand that following Jesus means embracing humility and sacrifice? How many of us realize that being close to Jesus requires letting go of power? How many of us know that being close to Jesus is not about seeking adulation and respect?
We will never be close to Jesus if we seek power and adulation. True closeness with Jesus requires us to reject these desires. When we turn away from power and adulation, we begin to embrace servanthood and humility, which Jesus embodies.
Why do you follow Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas
No comments:
Post a Comment