Daily Thoughts: Usually when I
hear today's Gospel the thought that comes into mind is, "Right question,
wrong time!" What I mean by this is that Mrs. Zebedee asks the right
question but it at the wrong time. She wants the best for her sons; she wants
eternal life, who doesn't? It is the goal of every person of faith. Yet if we
listen to the passage closely, Jesus has just talked to them about what lies
ahead, he has shared with them the reality of his Passion and Death. What's
their response, "Can my sons have a place of honor in the Kingdom?"
If Jesus were like us he might have responded, "Lady, did you just hear
what I said!" But he doesn't, Jesus turns it once again into a teaching
moment in the hope his disciples will continue to grow.
We might say that Mrs. Zebedee's
question is a typical human response when someone is sharing their deep human
emotions and feelings. When someone shares with us a personal struggle, a
personal tragedy, a personal hurt or pain, at those moments we tend to want to
change the subject or turn inward and think of ourselves. Jesus and the
readings the last few days have been trying to focus us beyond ourselves. A
disciple serves. A disciple looks outward toward others. A disciple tries to
right the wrongs of society. A disciple thinks of those who have no one to help
them. A disciple is not concern about herself or himself. A disciple has
entrusted herself or himself to God. Jesus uses this moment today to once again
make this point. He has "not come to be served but to serve and to give
his life in ransom for the many."
Jeremiah wants to know why bad things
happen to good people. Why for all the good work he has done he faces being
repaid with death? All he did was to bring God's message to the people. All he
did was be a faithful disciple. What Jeremiah learns and what eventually Jesus'
disciples learn is that discipleship is not easy and often dangerous. Yet if we
trust in God, if we look beyond ourselves to others God will take care of us
when it counts most.
As we make our way through this Lenten
let us listen to the story and Jesus and not respond by think just of ourselves
but let us trust in God's kindness and love because we too are will to serve
rather than be served. We too are willing to look beyond ourselves for the sake
of the Kingdom!
Have a blessed Wednesday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God help
us today and always to be your disciples. Teach us the value of good works for
others. Grace us with the energy and spirit that will make us joyous servants
with a willingness to give of the gifts we have for the good of others and the
Kingdom. Bestow upon us an abundance of your compassionate love so that we have
the strength to walk down any road in life knowing you will never leave us
alone! Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: As we run today
let us remember that a meditative prayerful runner is fortunate enough to have
found a way that refreshes the body and renews the spirit, thus enabling the
runner to be born again with every runner in the presence of God.
Daily Blessing: Wednesday
greetings and blessings to all! I hope all of you have gotten off to a good
start today and may your day to be blessed with many good things and many
encounters with God’s grace. If it hasn’t been a good start to the day hang in
there I am praying that your day will only get better.
I find myself in Mahopac this morning as
I did not chance driving home on the ice last night. The pastor found a bed for
me so I stayed. Needless to say we did not have much of a crowd for the evening
service last night. But this is life when you do missions in the middle on the
winter! I think I will move to Australia where Lent is in the middle of the
summer. I ask your prayers for this final day of mission, for the faith
community here at St. John the Evangelist and for their preacher.
May God bless us all today with the
gifts of faithfulness, hopefulness and loving care for others. May God bless us
with the strength to stake our lives on the promises of God. Again, everyone
have a faith filled day with many blessings and much peace. As always you are
in my prayers. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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