Readings:
1st Reading; Isaiah 53:10 -11.
Responsorial Psalm; Ps.32:4-5,1-20,22
2nd Reading;Hebrews 4:14-16.
Gospel; Mark 10:35-45.

Our first reading talks of a ‘suffering servant, whom God allows to suffer and who by accepting the suffering, brings honour and blessings to his descendants. This sounds like a prophesy of the sufferings of Jesus the Christ, who suffered to atone for our sins so we could gain God’s blessings and salvation. Rather than see this suffering as punishment, we should see it as a way God uses to bless us. Such suffering may initially bring darkness but light comes in the long-run.

The Gospel shows how a self-centred man can be. Some disciples of Jesus, the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, leave their colleagues behind and go to Jesus to ask for a favour. Their request looks really selfish; and self-centred; to have the two closest seats to Jesus in the kingdom. Jesus responds by asking if they can pay the high price by suffering like Him. They say, they can. But Jesus says the seats belong to those who will drink of this suffering and be purified.

The other disciples are not happy when they learn of their self-centred request. Jesus calls all of them together and explains that they are called to servant-hood to serve and not to be served. By this Jesus means that we too are called by our Baptism to serve and not to be served. It is through this service that we will be able to bring blessings and salvation to those we serve. However, our service will not go without suffering. We will confront opposition, suspicion, prejudice, rejection and in some cases, even be silenced. When in all this we remain steadfast, we will be purified of our frustrations, failures and the sufferings and by this, blessings will come not only to us but also to our following.

Humanly speaking, we, like James and John have a desire to be great. We love to be promoted to the first place. We would use any opportunity to get to this desired position. In plain language, we, like James and John are opportunists. Our one aim is to rise in the ranks. To achieve our end, we do not hesitate to grovel and beg. We do not mind how much envy and resentment we arouse in our companions. Our sole aim is to scramble up the career ladder. But at what price to ourselves and others? This is what we often lose sight of!

Jesus cautions His followers against getting involved in high positions. Among us there is jostling for positions. We see it manifested in our actions and in the actions of others. It is obvious in the Church circles that at times results to serious problems within the Church setup. Some people instead of being the servants Jesus asks them to be, insist to be noticed and addressed in special roles. Are you a person who jostles for position? Are you a person who craves for others to see how important you are? Such insistence leads to jealousies, resentment, backstabbing and other evils associated with pride.

If in the course of the rise to the top, a man loses himself, his soul and others’, whatever he does or achieves will be worthless. It is amazing what power struggle and authority and all that goes with it can do – money, privilege, rank, and status – to a human heart. If a human heart is hardened, he is no better than a withered tree.

Jesus calls us to serve. He reverses the order to true greatness and glory. To be first and great, we must place ourselves at the disposal, of others by putting their interests first and taking their cares and concerns as if they were ours. Jesus weds authority with unconditional love and service with total sacrifice. Where authority is without sacrificial love, it becomes brutish and self-serving. No! we are called to drink the cup of suffering by sacrificing for others.

As Christians, we all have our own cups of suffering. For some, it may entail physical suffering and even martyrdom. But for most of us, it is the long routine of Christian life with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, setbacks, struggles and temptations. Jesus offered his life for us and calls us to freely offer our lives in daily sacrifice of love and service for each other. If we allow God’s love to transform our lives, no sacrifice will be too great or hard to make. As Christians , we share in God’s power, authority and Kingdom by loving others as he has loved us and by laying down our lives in humble caring service for the sake of our neighbours’ welfare. Are you ready to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus did for you?

A Little Prayer.

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me and for laying down Your life in service that I may gain blessings and salvation. Lord, help free me from egoistic pride and selfishness that I may be a servant of love and compassion for others. May Your love make me to give generously and serve others with joy for your sake. Amen.

Have a Blessed Week!
Bobe Talla Toh.