10/20/2024
This Sunday’s gospel taken from Mark, 10, 35-45 has James and John asking Jesus to sit on his left and right when he enters glory. The response of Jesus is to ask them if they are willing to drink his cup and be baptized as he has been. Jesus is not talking about simple cup of wine or even water baptism. He is talking about his coming paschal mystery of death and resurrection; he is asking if the disciples are willing to join Jesus on that journey. That is same journey he ask us to join, not simply wanting to be close to him but willing to lay down our lives with him.
Jesus moves on to make the point that we are called not to be served but to serve one another and lay down our lives for all.
This teaching has practical application for all of us, clergy and laity; we are all called to do more than want to be close to Jesus.,We need to be willing to serve and not seek to be in charge, promoting oneself and not those most in need. Church leaders, lay people and even political candidates need to learn from this lesson. May Our Lord show us the way!
