Reflection for Saturday July 25 Feast of Saint James, Apostle: Matthew 20:20-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” 

Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 

But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

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Reflection:

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?

Does it mean wielding power and influence? Does it mean being popular in our community? None of the above. To be a follower of Jesus is to be ready to serve without any hidden agenda. It is not about seeking greatness, influence, or popularity, but about humbly offering ourselves in loving service to God and to one another.

In today's Gospel, the mother of the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus to let her two sons sit beside Him in His kingdom. Why did she make such a request? She asked because she did not yet understand the true essence of being a follower of Jesus. Had she realized that a true follower must be the embodiment of humility and selfless service, she would not have sought such an exalted position for her sons.

In many ways, the mother of the two sons represents many of us today. We naturally desire the best for ourselves and for those we love. We may hope that our children will excel, be admired, and receive recognition.

While there is nothing wrong with wanting them to flourish, we must also ask ourselves what values we are passing on to them. Are we teaching them to seek applause and prominence, or are we forming them to serve quietly, love generously, and give all the glory to God?

If our greatest ambition is to be noticed, we risk nurturing hearts that measure success by status rather than by faithfulness. But if we teach humility by our words and, more importantly, by our example, we help shape hearts that resemble the humble Heart of Jesus. True discipleship is not measured by the positions we attain but by the love with which we serve and the humility with which we carry out God's will.

If we truly desire to grow in faith and be exalted by Jesus, we must first learn to humble ourselves. We must let go of our desire for recognition and trust that God sees every hidden act of love, every quiet sacrifice, and every selfless service offered in His name.

In God's perfect time, He honors those who seek not their own glory but His. The path to true greatness is the path that Jesus Himself walked—the path of humility, obedience, and sacrificial love.

Today, may we ask the Lord to purify our intentions and transform our hearts. May He teach us to rejoice not when we are praised, but when His love is made visible through our lives. For in God's kingdom, the greatest are not those who are served but those who joyfully serve.

As we follow Jesus each day, are we seeking places of honor for ourselves, or are we quietly embracing the humble path that leads us closer to His Sacred Heart?—Marino J. Dasmarinas