To Follow is to Serve

“Jesus said to them, ‘The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.’”

Mark 10:39-40

The brothers James and John asked Jesus for a favor — to sit on His right and left in glory. This request came right after Jesus shared with them for the third time what He would come to suffer in Jerusalem. Although this request shows that they really did not understand Jesus’ mission and what He is all about, it does show us something. James and John believed in Jesus. They believed that He was the Messiah and that He could do anything. They had faith in Jesus, but they wanted something more — they wanted power and glory.

Jesus explained to them that to sit on His right or left is not for Him to decide, but rather prepared for by His Father. Perhaps James and John believed that Jesus is the Messiah, but the kind of Messiah that the Jewish people were expecting — a military leader who would free them from Roman rule, and so they wanted to be on His right and left, sharing in His glory. Little did they know that those who would be on Jesus’ right and left would be two thieves, and they would all be hanging on a cross. But, James and John would later share in Jesus’ glory — in their witness to the Gospel and their martyrdom, they indeed shared the glory of Jesus.

As disciples, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and that is not to seek places of glory and fame but rather to seek to serve, especially those who are most in need. We share in Christ’s glory when we encounter the poor, the sick, the elderly, the outcast, and the unwanted. St Philip Neri showed this with his life and his commitment and outreach to the poor on the street corners of Rome. He served the poor and the those he came to encounter by day and he recharged and spent his time with the Lord in prayer by night. He once said, “The greatness of our love of God must be tested by the desire we have of suffering for His love.” May we imitate St. Philip Neri’s love for Christ and His poor. When our hearts are so intertwined with that of Jesus, we will see Him in those whom we come to serve, and when we do, how can we but not rejoice and truly rest and share in His glory.

No Promise of Easy

“Peter began to say to Jesus,
‘We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”

Mk. 10:28-30

Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. Perhaps the Apostles at some point began to wonder what their sacrifices of leaving home and family might all be for and whether it’s worth it. Maybe we can relate to this. Our lives are not easy and without struggles. But we believe in Jesus. Shouldn’t our lives be at least somewhat “easier?” Why should we even believe then? Listen to the reflection for more.

Always There

“All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Acts 1:14

On the day after Pentecost, Pope Francis gave to us the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, a day to celebrate and remember Mary. For Catholics, Mary, the Mother of Jesus has a very important and special place in our hearts. Mary was the one who said “Yes” to God when the Angel Gabriel came to her. Mary was the one who carried Jesus in her womb and brought Him into the world. Mary bore for us the Savior of the World. Mary was the one who taught Jesus how to walk and talk. Mary was Jesus’ first disciple. Mary was at the foot of the Cross. Mary was in the upper room with the Apostles after the Ascension. Mary was always there.

Mary is sometimes referred to as the “New Eve” because her actions and life undid what Eve did in the garden. While Adam and Eve hid from the Lord needing Him to ask “Where are you?” Mary was always there with the Lord. She followed Jesus all the way to the Cross and stood courageously at the foot of the Cross. Mary never left Jesus’ side. She was always there.

As Christians, as disciples of Jesus, we too must always be there. And guess what? Mary will always be there for us and with us too. At the foot of the Cross Jesus gave to John and to all of us Mary as Our Mother and He entrusted all of us to her care and protection. We are all on this journey together, and Mary wants to walk with us, and she will always lead us to her Son. She wants to be there for you. Will you let her?