July 25, 2018

Gospel: Mt 20:20-28
Then the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down, to ask a favor. Jesus said to her, “What do you want?” And she answered, “Here, you have my two sons. Grant, that they may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said to the brothers, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They answered, “We can.” Jesus replied, “You will indeed drink my cup; but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those, for whom my Father has prepared it.” The other ten heard all this, and were angry with the two brothers. Then Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of nations behave like tyrants, and the powerful oppress them. It shall not be so among you: whoever wants to be great in your community, let him minister to the community. And if you want to be the first of all, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to redeem many.”

Reflections
Be like the Son of Man, who came not to be served, but to serve.
Like the humble wooden chalice that holds the precious consecrated blood of Christ, we are fragile vessels, worn out and cracked, that contain the Risen Lord and his Gospel. Though sinful, we have been commissioned to proclaim the Gospel of salvation. Though unworthy, we have been chosen to be the dwelling place of our Lord. Jesus lives in us. Jesus moves and speaks through us. Jesus loves and continues his saving mission through us. Thus we are strong to resist sin and persevere amidst persecution, not because of ourselves, but because of Jesus who lives in us.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018