Reflection: Mark 10:32-45

Mark 10:32-45 - Wednesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary time

Today the disciples are on the way to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking ahead of them. Mark writes: “The disciples were amazed yet others were afraid.” They still were trying to absorb what Jesus had said to the young man in yesterday’s Gospel.

Jesus takes his 12 disciples aside and begins to prepare them for what would happen in Jerusalem. He tells them that when they get to Jerusalem “the Son of Man” will be handed over to the chief priests and Scribes. He goes on to say that he will be mocked, spit on and condemned to death. However, after three days, He will rise again!

Imagine the disciples’ reaction to these statements. They clearly knew that Jesus was a controversial person. But they were stunned at the possibility of arrest, condemnation and death. This simply was beyond their comprehension. And though they knew that Jesus was in danger, they did not want to listen to what he was saying.

In the middle of this dialogue James and John come to Jesus and say: “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask.” Here are two of his disciples literally ordering Jesus around! Talk about brazen! James and John were not concerned about what Jesus was saying. They said nothing to him about the prediction of his death. They simply wanted to ensure that they would have a place at Jesus’ right and left hand when finally he is in his glory. Talk about self-centered! Were James and John not concerned about the danger to Jesus? Did they not care that He no longer would be with them? Apparently not! Their focus was solely on their own future!

Understandably, the other disciples were extremely upset with James and John. Who did they think they were? Did they truly believe they were better than the other disciples? They all had been faithful followers of Jesus. Why did they think they were special? Jesus then tells James and John that they clearly do not understand what they are asking. He bluntly asks them: “Are you truly willing to drink from the chalice that I will have to drink from?”

How very human the disciples were! Most often they thought only of themselves. Apparently they did not have a clue of the path that Jesus would have to walk. Yet they knew there were plots against him. Still, their self-centeredness prevailed. They were only concerned about their future.

When we pray or talk with Jesus, are we only concerned with ourselves? Do we do all the talking? Or do we quiet down, open our hearts and listen to Jesus? Jesus has much that he wants to say to us. Or perhaps he simply desires to be in our presence and have our full attention. Today will we do all the talking? Or will we stop and listen for a while?

Jesus also desires that we be servants to one another. Are we willing to serve others as Jesus served them? If we do, most likely we may receive more than we give. Jesus clearly wants his disciples primarily to be concerned about the “People of God,” not only concerned with themselves. He wants them to follow in his footsteps and to love as deeply as he loved.

What will we choose to do today? Will we serve the people we encounter today? Or will we simply go on our merry way? What a loss that would be! Who knows, if we are attentive and alert, we most likely will meet Jesus several times as we go about our day! Be awake! Jesus is coming!