Please the Lord

Today’s Gospel Text: Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 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." 22 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." 23 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." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 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. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matt 20:20-28

Reflection: To be content and satisfied with what we have is a noble quality.

Our over ambitiousness can kill many an innocent men and women at the stake.

In history, and even now, we have quite a few examples of such people who in their ambition to achieve great things, and what apparently appeared to be noble, have destroyed a whole generation of people.

The worst form of it is manifested for the sake of power; either to gain it or to maintain oneself in power.

For some it could even be a situation of identifying their selves with the powerful or gaining their approval.

Knowing that these qualities can be big barriers to enter into the life of God and to walk according to his plans St. Paul had this to say:  

“Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.”  Phil 4:11-12

Jesus seems to reveal to us that power and authority in God’s kingdom belongs to his Father and it is his prerogative to appoint the ones in office and what position one should hold in his kingdom.

Hence there is no room for jealousy, envy, accompanied by all kinds of politicking in order to climb the seat of power or affiliate oneself to it, whether in our work place or in public service.

Nor is there a place to be pleasing to men in general or to people in authority, so as to compromise on the gospel of Christ. 

What will it profit a man if he gains earthly power, positions, wealth, money, approval and even the whole world and forfeits his soul? (cfr. Mt. 16:26; Lk. 9:25)

Prayer: To you, O Lord, belongs all authority and power, may I live my life pleasing you alone.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Law and Judgment

Today’s Gospel Text:  One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 25 And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, when Abi'athar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" 27 And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; 28 so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath." Mark 2:23-28

Reflection: “Judge not and you will not be judged.” (Lk. 6: 37)

The pharisees dared to question the righteous judge concerning his disciples: "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" (Vs. 24)

Just because we have an explanation from Jesus we can absolve him of the wrong he has done.

What would happen to the fate of Jesus if he had not given a counter reply which was perfect to the core? Then would the Pharisees  have swallowed him up alive. (cfr.Ps 124:3)

In keeping with this, in most countries which have a Biblical or Christian influence, we find that the human error in arriving at sound judgment is kept in mind even when applying the law or those who are the arbiters of the law keep in mind this norm and follow strict procedures before arriving at any conclusions.

Yet you will find there have been instances when an innocent man has been condemned and judged despite strict codes of procedures, because they have connived in advance to circumvent the law in order to beat the innocent.  

Unfortunately, sometimes the worst offenders are those within the church, who sit on the seat of Jesus, the judge of the universe, who himself has been a victim of unjust judgment at the hands of the chief law enforcers.

    

Can wicked rulers be allied with thee, who frame mischief by statute? They band together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death. Ps 94:20-21

Whenever there is media hype or public pressure then we have laws either created or existing laws interpreted or implemented to suit the occasion rather than go by divine law or natural justice. 

In the bargain the innocents are made scapegoats or targets, whose blood like the blood  of Abel keep crying to the heavens:

“For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” Ps 94:14-15

Prayer:  If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips,” thy steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. Ps 94:17-18

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us