Go beyond yourself for others

Good morning, happy Wednesday, and many blessings.

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 20:17-28) Jesus’ announcement says that his fate in Jerusalem will be no tragic accident of history but the outworking of God’s saving purposes for humanity. This is the preeminent work of Jesus—not his powerful deeds and words, nor his ministry among the Jews of Galilee and Judea, but his death on the cross.

Earlier on the journey, Jesus twice predicted his impending death: After the first prediction, Peter rebuked Jesus (16:21-22), only to be rebuked in return (16:23). Jesus proceeded to teach the crowd and the disciples to “let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (16:24).

After the second prediction (17:22-23), the disciples “were exceedingly sorry” (17:23). Now, after the third prediction (see also Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34), the mother of James and John asks Jesus for preferred seating for her sons “in your kingdom” (20:21), following which Jesus tells the disciples, “Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant” (20:27)—and then Jesus holds up his own sacrificial service as a model for all disciples (20:28).

The apostles were in total denial about the prospect of Jesus suffering and dying. They had spent the past few years with him. They had slept rough, they went hungry, they were condemned and ostracized, even by their own families. No wonder they didn’t want to hear that, after all that, Jesus was going to suffer a shameful death.

We can say that the disciples consistently fail to comprehend either the passion predictions or Jesus’ instruction on discipleship following each prediction. Jesus is so different from the expected messiah that they just don’t “get it.” It is as if their spiritual eyes have been focused in one place so long that, now that the messiah appears in their midst, they cannot refocus sufficiently to see him clearly.

To love is to serve. To love is to be called to go beyond myself and my needs for others. Jesus came among us to teach us how to live a fully human life. He loved his own to the end.

Have you ever experienced that ‘going beyond’ yourself for others? Talk to Jesus about this experience.

The mother of James and John was ambitious for her sons. She wanted the top place at every table with Jesus for them. Many a mother wants the same. But Jesus sidesteps again and says that the one who serves most is the one in the honored place with God. As we watch Jesus in the gospels, we see he is at the beck and call of many. He is the servant of all. This is love, and it is the way Jesus shows the love of God among us. Although James and John allowed their mother to speak for them, it was to them that Jesus directed his reply.

Today, as I pray for others, asking for their good, I pray also that they will notice God's action in their lives and be drawn more deeply into conversation with God.

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+