October 20, 2024 - 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This Sunday’s Gospel presents a powerful lesson on what it means to be great in the eyes of God. The request made by James and John to sit at Jesus’ right and left in His glory sparks a teaching moment for Jesus to redefine greatness, not as worldly power or status, but as humble service. This message resonates deeply in our time, where ambition and self-promotion often dominate our cultural values.
James and John approach Jesus with a bold request: "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Their desire is not entirely misguided; they genuinely wish to be close to Jesus and to share in His mission. However, they still think in terms of worldly honor and prestige. Jesus, with patience, helps them—and us—understand that the path to true greatness is different from what they imagine.
Jesus responds with a question: "Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Mark 10:38). The "cup" and "baptism" He refers to symbolize His suffering and death, the ultimate act of self-giving love. To follow Jesus means to share in His sacrificial love and to embrace the cross. This is not a call to seek suffering for its own sake, but a reminder that true discipleship involves laying down our lives for others.
When the other disciples hear James and John’s request, they become indignant. Perhaps they feel that James and John are trying to gain an unfair advantage or to assert superiority. In their reaction, we see the common human tendency to compete for status and recognition. Jesus seizes this opportunity to teach a radically different vision: "Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all."
This is the heart of the Christian message: greatness is found in service, not domination. The world often equates success with power, wealth, and influence, but Jesus flips this notion on its head. In God’s kingdom, the greatest are those who give of themselves for others, who love without counting the cost, and who serve without seeking reward. Jesus Himself is the perfect example of this self-giving love, as He "did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:43-45).
As we reflect on this Gospel, we might ask ourselves: What does it mean for us to follow Jesus' example of service in our daily lives? It doesn’t always involve grand gestures; it often manifests in small acts of kindness, generosity, and humility. It might mean putting others' needs before our own, listening patiently to someone in distress, or offering our time and resources to help those in need. These are the moments when we drink from the "cup" Jesus spoke of, when we participate in His loving sacrifice.
The message of today’s Gospel is also a call for the Church to live as a community of servants. Our ministries, liturgies, and outreach should all reflect the humility and selflessness of Christ. In this way, we bear witness to the world that greatness is not about elevating ourselves, but about lifting others up. Let us, therefore, embrace the challenge to serve with love, knowing that when we give of ourselves, we are truly following the path of our Lord. May we find in Christ’s example the courage to drink the cup of sacrifice and the joy of sharing in His glory, which is found not in power, but in humble service. May this message inspire us to live out our faith through acts of service and love in our everyday lives.
God bless everyone always!!!
Fr. Stan
