For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, today's reading is interesting in that it calls to mind our selfish ambition. James and John were seeking a place of honor where they had not done the work to deserve it. Not to mention, the placement of someone on the right and left side of Jesus were (as He states) not His to give, but Yours to give and it was for someone for whom it was already prepared who did the work to earn it. Jesus basically asks them if they were willing to do the work in order to sit there and they replied that they were. What they probably did not understand was that drinking from Jesus's cup was a sacrificial cup, and was not just a cup of tasty wine. They would have to sacrifice or endure something in order to fully comprehend the seat's calling. James and John wanted as much as possible for doing as little as possible, which is exactly what we, as Your people, still do today. Being 'in service' to others means (as Jesus put it) . . . "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." When an individual who is truly in-service to others, they are not only a slave to their work, but a slave to others, meaning that they would work excessively hard for others. It is quite a commitment and act of volunteerism. It is interesting to note that in Matthew's writings he attributes James and John's selfish ambition to their mother (Salome). If this account is correct then I can relate to both as I have walked in both shoes of selfish ambition. Either I am truly committed to being in-service to others and serving them, as Your Son Jesus chose to serve (not be served) or not. And Father, I am. I am committed.
Thank You for this wonderful reminder that if I hope for my desired results, then I must do the work. The way of Jesus is by way of humility and service to others, not through selfish ambition and doing as little as possible. Help me Father, to be all that You created me to be and to be brave enough to do all that You created me to do.
Through Jesus Christ's Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face. ~Amen
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark
Mark 10:32-45
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him,
33 saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles;
34 and they will mock Him, and spit upon Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him; and after three days He will rise."
35 And James and John, the sons of Zeb'edee, came forward to Him, and said to Him, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You."
36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
37 And they said to Him, "Grant us to sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left, in Your glory."
38 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?"
39 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;
40 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."
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.
42 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.
43 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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