Reading from the holy Gospel according to
Matthew Chapter 20, verses 17 to 28
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| JESUS ASKING THE SONS OF THUNDER - JAMES AND JOHN - IF THEY COULD DRINK THE CUP HE WAS ABOUT TO DRINK. Image from ocarm.org |
But Jesus summoned them and said,
"... whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave." [27]
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
Personal reflection on the reading
Sharing for the Day
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, have been nicknamed Sons of Thunder. Once they asked the Lord if He would allow them to call fire from heaven to rain upon some cities which did not receive the party. But the Lord rebuked them. Here we have their mother asking the Lord about giving them the order to sit on either side of Him when He already possesses His kingdom. In Luke's account, the record states that the two themselves asked the Lord about that request. Because of this, the other ten became indignant but then to settle the issue, the Lord tells them that if anyone wishes to be the first, he must be the slave of all.
It is normal for humans to aspire for positions of power or influence. It is also normal to be hurt when others would want to get ahead of you especially when you yourself desires for a piece - if not all - of the power. That's why in the reality of human politics, crimes are committed and relationships are broken. But the Lord clarifies to them that His kingdom is very much different from earthly kingdoms. On earth, rulers are served by their subjects or citizens and their followers try to outshine each other to become closer to the ruler. For Christians it is a different one. Those who wish to earn the first or honored place have to be the servant of others for the Lord's kingship is not of power and domination but of humble service and submission. He showed an example of this when He washed the feet of His Apostles during the Last Supper in order to make concrete His discussion about loving one another as a requirement of being His friends.
As His friends, we therefore have to be servants of others. We must show our love for one another by taking care of each other, which is one meaning of washing each other's feet. We must look after the welfare of our brethren lest they feel unwanted and uncared for so look for other communities to belong to and get what they need.
It also means that we must never let anybody remain dirty, that is, sinful. By Baptism we have already taken a bath, that is, the stain of original sin has been washed away already through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. But as we journey toward the Father's house, there are times when we fail and commit sin or omit doing good things, like getting our feet dirty when going around our daily routine, and so we must wash them, that is, ask for forgiveness for these failures. We can therefore manifest our love for each other by forgiving one another and encouraging each other to walk on the path of holiness and the avoidance of sin.
As His friends, we therefore have to be servants of others. We must show our love for one another by taking care of each other, which is one meaning of washing each other's feet. We must look after the welfare of our brethren lest they feel unwanted and uncared for so look for other communities to belong to and get what they need.
It also means that we must never let anybody remain dirty, that is, sinful. By Baptism we have already taken a bath, that is, the stain of original sin has been washed away already through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. But as we journey toward the Father's house, there are times when we fail and commit sin or omit doing good things, like getting our feet dirty when going around our daily routine, and so we must wash them, that is, ask for forgiveness for these failures. We can therefore manifest our love for each other by forgiving one another and encouraging each other to walk on the path of holiness and the avoidance of sin.
As we continue with our journey through this Lenten Season toward Easter, let us never forget that being a Christian is being a servant of love. A Christian cannot not love, therefore a Christian cannot but be a servant of others. Through this we can truly and fully manifest our friendship with the Lord and He will then acknowledge us as His friends in the presence of the Father.
Application of the Message
[1] Prayer
Pray for the grace of being a servant of love.
[2] Abstinence
What are you willing to abstain from today as a manifestation of letting go of the desire to be ahead of others?
[3] Almsgiving
What can you materially share today as your manifestation of being a servant of others?
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