BEADS OF JOY 07-25-16
“Request of James & John”
©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s
Gospel: Matt 20:20-28 (Request of James & John)
“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection:
Are you ready to give up even your very life in service to others? Jesus taught us to pick up our Cross and follow Him? Why would that sacrifice be such a Joy? I know to some that makes no sense. In today’s gospel some of the disciples seem to have wanted power and recognition and authority, so they too can be side by side with Jesus. Thinking Jesus had this “celebrity” lifestyle of fame. Jesus’ life was a life in preparation for sacrifice. I don’t think the disciples completely seen what we obviously can see from our vantage point. Had they fully understood at that time the mission Jesus was here for maybe; just maybe they wouldn’t have so aggressively wanted to be so equal with Him at that time. I could be wrong.
Are you ready to give up even your very life in service to others? Jesus taught us to pick up our Cross and follow Him? Why would that sacrifice be such a Joy? I know to some that makes no sense. In today’s gospel some of the disciples seem to have wanted power and recognition and authority, so they too can be side by side with Jesus. Thinking Jesus had this “celebrity” lifestyle of fame. Jesus’ life was a life in preparation for sacrifice. I don’t think the disciples completely seen what we obviously can see from our vantage point. Had they fully understood at that time the mission Jesus was here for maybe; just maybe they wouldn’t have so aggressively wanted to be so equal with Him at that time. I could be wrong.
We must have love in our hearts
and we must be humble at all times. The Cross of Christ can be bitter, but many
of the disciples will soon indeed die horrible horrific deaths because of that
Cross. Their love is sincere and their commitment is real, and their example is
a good one for us to learn by. How much do you really love Jesus? How much does
your life reflect that love? Are you bearing a Cross in this life that has some
“Faith & Belief” packed on it? In other words, are you ridiculed for your
faith? That’s a lot to digest I know.
Are you willing to die for Jesus?
If you were told to decide Jesus or death? What would you choose? Now be
careful and think clearly. Because at some point Jesus will look upon you, one
on one, eye to eye, and that chose will be a reflection of that conversation on
that day. Another way to look at this… Jesus or You? Who do you choose? Remember
Jesus died for all of us to save us. Choosing ourselves is selfish; choosing
Jesus is being loyal and faithful to one who died for us, the one saved us, the
one who forgave us. Pray about these things, the Holy Spirit will lead your heart.
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
