Reflection: Matthew 20:20-28

Saint James the Apostle, Feast – Matthew 20:20-28

Today we hear the familiar story of a mother who had two sons.  The mother approached Jesus and gave him homage.  Jesus then asked her what she desired.  She immediately told him: “Command that my sons will sit, one at your right and the other on your left hand in your Kingdom.”  Jesus must have been shocked!  He had received many strange requests; however, this woman was bolder in her request (or demand) than anyone else who had ever approached him.

Most likely, the mother believed that her request would bring her two sons power, fame, and fortune.  However, Jesus knew that His Kingdom was radically different from what she thought it was.  Being part of Jesus’ kingdom would mean that her sons would have to suffer. 

Jesus told the woman: “Truly, you do not know what you are asking.”  He then asked if her sons were ready to drink from the cup that He would drink from and immediately her sons replied that they were ready to do so.  Jesus then told the mother and the sons that it was not His place to decide who would sit at his right and left hand.  His Father would make that decision.

The disciples were extremely angry and upset with the brothers.  After all, they all had been with Jesus for a long time.  Perhaps they also were hoping that they would be the ones who would sit at Jesus’ right or left hand.  Jesus then warned his disciples of the danger of desiring power.

Power often corrupts the individuals who wield it.  Jesus bluntly told his disciples that it should be radically different with them.  Rather than desiring to wield power over others, they should desire to serve one another.  Jesus told them that this would make them great.  And if they truly wished to be His disciples, they were to follow his example and serve others, not be served by others!

There is almost an innate desire within human beings for acclaim, recognition and appreciation. All of these gifts are proper and good in moderation.  However, individuals who receive abundant acclaim or praise often are tempted and they develop a big (and unhealthy) ego.  Jesus wanted His disciples to be humble.

Humility does not mean groveling or demeaning yourself.  Humility comes from the root word, humus.  Humus is an organic component of soil that is derived from decomposed plants, animal remains, and animal excrement.  To us, this may sound unappealing.   However, humus adds many nutrients to the soil.  It aids water retention and thus makes the soil more workable and productive.

Our “humility” may be challenged when we experience the reality that we are far from perfect.  As we acknowledge this reality, we can be angry about it or we can use this difficult and painful experience to add nutrients to our inner soil.  If we do this, our rich inner soil will enable us to be more fruitful in our lives.   If we truly are humble, we will serve others, share our resources, and be content.  We will not need to be the first nor will we need acclaim.

Humility requires that we simply be who we are and share this fragile and imperfect gift, with the people in our lives.  God has gifted us!  Every day Jesus invites us to generously share our gifts, our love and our attention with others. However, he hopes that we will do this in a simple and unobtrusive way.  When we share our gifts and love in this manner, truly we are following in the footsteps of Jesus.  For what more could we ask?

Reflection: Luke 11:1-13

Sunday of the 17th Week of Ordinary Time – Luke 11:1-13

In the Gospel for this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the disciples ask Jesus: “Teach us how to pray.”  The disciples knew that John had taught his disciples to pray and , like John’s disciples, Jesus’ disciples had a deep desire to learn how to pray.  Jesus then said to them:  “Pray in this way: ‘Our Father, hallowed be your Name.  Come to us and establish your kingdom.  Give us each day our daily bread.  Forgive our sins and we will strive to forgive anyone who has wronged us.  And keep us from temptation.”

Most likely this prayer is one of the first prayers that we learned as children.   It also is the prayer that is typically is prayed daily by many people in our church and in our world.  The Our Father is an integral part of our faith and our worship.  However, this prayer may become so familiar to us that we may rattle it off rather than mindfully praying this prayer. 

Each day this week, I invite you to pray, not simply say, the Our Father three times: morning, midday and evening.  Pray this prayer slowly and attentively.  Then sit quietly for two or three minutes.  At the end of the week, review the past seven days.  Was your week different because you took the time to truly pray this prayer?  How are you different?  Prayer truly will change our lives and prayer also will change us if we mindfully make and take the time to pray.

Reflection: Matthew 13:24-30

Saturday of the 16th Week of Ordinary Time – Matthew 13:24-30

Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus telling His disciples another parable.  The parable begins with the words:  “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed ‘good seed’ in his field.”  However, when everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds in the wheat field. The enemy left deeply satisfied because he had “bested” his enemy. 

As the crop began to grow, the weeds also grew.  The servants of the Master went to him and asked: “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?  The field is filled with weeds!”  When the Master then realized what had happened, he told the slaves: “An enemy has done this.”  The slaves asked if they should uproot the weeds.  The Master told them to let the crops grow together.  Then, when it was time to harvest the crop He would instruct the harvesters to gather all the weeds and burn them.  When this was done, then they could safely gather the wheat.

What are the “weeds” in your life?  What is damage or difficulty that your “weeds” cause in your life?  Do you strive to uproot your “weeds” before they take root?  Naturally it is easier to pull up weeds when they first begin to grow.  At this point, the roots are tender and they do not yet have deep roots.   Yet, if we do not pull out our “weeds,” they will grow and flourish and establish deep roots.  Over time, the weeds likely will spread into the good soil and kill the healthy plants. 

Most likely, we will never uproot all the weeds in our lives.  However, it we nurture the good seeds that we have sown, we will produce an abundant, if not perfect, harvest. 

Reflection: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Feast of St. Mary Magdalene – John 20:1-2, 11-18

The Gospel reading for this Feast of St. Mary Magdalene is very appropriate.   In the time of Jesus, women were not always held in high esteem.   Yet, it is clear in John’s Gospel that Mary Magdalene was a very dear friend of Jesus.  His love, esteem, and affection for her are very evident in this Gospel.  Mary Magdalene must have been an intelligent, courageous, and loving woman.

In some of the Apocryphal texts, Mary Magdalene is portrayed as a visionary as well as an influential leader of the early Church.  It was written of her: “Jesus loved Mary Magdalene more than He loved the other disciples.”  I wonder if some of the disciples were jealous of the deep and intimate relationship Jesus had with Mary Magdalene. 

I also wonder if Mary Magdalene was a bit like Jesus’ mother, Mary: intelligent, loving, supportive, but also challenging.  Above all, Mary was a woman who loved deeply.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could  eavesdrop on some of the conversations that Jesus had with Mary Magdalene?

Mary Magdalene is a great model for all of us, whether we are female or male.  Today may we ask Mary Magdalene to help us develop a deep and loving relationship with Jesus.  Today may we ask Mary to show us the way!

Reflection: Matthew 13:10-17

Thursday of the 16th Week of Ordinary Time – Matthew 13:10-17

This Gospel reading begins with the disciples asking Jesus: “Why do you use parables when you are teaching?” Jesus basically says to them: “The people do not understand as you do. You have been granted the privilege of the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom. This is a wondrous gift you have been given!  The people who hunger for God’s Word need to be instructed about these mysteries.”  Then Jesus adds: “To anyone who has knowledge, more knowledge will be given. Anyone who does not have knowledge will lose any knowledge he or she has.”

Ask yourself: with which person do you identify: the one with knowledge or the one without it?  What is the knowledge you have gleaned about the mysteries of the Kingdom?  What more do you desire to learn?  Do you understand Jesus’ message and promise or are you eyes, ears, and heart closed to Jesus’ message?

As human beings, our understanding typically comes by what we learn through our eyes, ears, and minds.  However, the deepest understanding comes from our hearts.  The heart is the seat of wisdom, understanding, and love.  Today I invite you to consciously open your heart to the mysteries of the Kingdom.  Be attentive to what you notice: the emotions you experience or the people with whom you interact.  Jesus is present with us every second of the day; however, we often we are not aware of His presence. Today be awake! If you stay awake and alert, you likely will receive a great gift!