WEDNESDAY 2ND WEEK
Zak Barry Sem. C ‘14

Hide Yourself in the Lord’s Service

“You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” Matthew 20: 22

The disciples are learning to desire the kingdom of God, but like ourselves, they are slow learners. James and John have come to believe in the Lord and in His message, but not yet understanding it fully, they come to Jesus with a bizarre request – to have the places of honor in the Lord’s kingdom.

It is a noble thing that they are coming to see the greater value in the life to come than in being honored here on earth, but they have yet to learn the greater value of service – a lesson that all disciples of the Lord must learn, as evidenced by the indignation of the other ten.

Jesus calls them all to Himself and outlines the difference between his kingdom and those of the Gentiles: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall by your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” These words He will make eminently clear to them later in his passion and death, offering his life as a sacrifice for many.

This sacrificial service is foreshadowed in Jeremiah, who is persecuted by the people of Jerusalem seeking to destroy him. But Jeremiah steadfastly turns to the Lord, pleading Him to “remember that I stood before [Him] to speak on their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.”

Only by such selfless service of righteousness and truth, as displayed by Jeremiah and by the Lord Himself, will make us sharers in the kingdom of God – acts motivated by genuine love of God and love of neighbor.

Mary, loving mother, be at my side always teaching me to love as you loved, serving others without counting the cost. As the mother of James and John came before the Lord to intercede on their behalf, bring my prayer before your divine son, not that I may be kept the place of honor in his kingdom,
but that I may have the grace to serve Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, even to my final breath. Amen.

Jer 18: 18-20, Ps 31: 5-6, 14-16, Mt 20: 17-2