Greed

Today’s Gospel Text:  When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; 24 so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." 25 So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.  31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.' 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward." 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times. JN 13:21-33, 36-38

Reflection: The first commandment is a very serious issue and any breaking of the first commandment makes that sin a serious one too.

Many of the curses, poverty, divisions in families, untoward deaths and evil running in families are on account of the curse of breaking God’s first commandment and not living up to the call of God to be faithful to him alone and to all that he has given us in Christ Jesus.

This issue becomes all the more serious for the New Testament Christians, who have the complete revelation of God in Christ Jesus.

How could Christians be breaking the first commandment of God in the New Testament faith that we have received from Jesus?

We should have learnt this from the example of Judas and his betrayal of Jesus and the consequence thereof. 

By betraying Jesus Judas was completely rejecting God in Christ Jesus who came to save us and without him and apart from him we cannot save ourselves. (cfr. Jn. 15:5)

Hence all other sins are secondary in comparison to the sin of denial or betrayal which ultimately leads us into a greater stalemate in our life. It is so because we are rejecting the very source that can help us overcome or save us from our sinfulness.

Though, in reality, the other sins can lead us to this low level of denying or betraying Jesus. And the sin that leads us to that state becomes another example of breaking the first commandment of God.

Greed or wanting more than what we need; a lust for worldly gain whether it be for wealth or power or positions also amounts to breaking of God’s first commandment: “Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).”  Col 3:5

Prayer: Lord, reveal to me the areas of greed that I may purge it from me with your help.

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

Power and Position

Today’s Gospel Text:  And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." 20 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 20:17-28

Reflection: There are many things in the world which works on the basis of influence, which sometimes includes jobs and positions.

So often we desire in the process of gain that someone puts in a good word for us so that we are able to get a good job or a position in the corporate world or in an institute of learning.

The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with similar intentions and what is marvelous is that she does not just ask Jesus by way of request nor asks him to put in a good word but rather implores him to command.

It does show a marvelous faith and confidence on their part in the power of Jesus and in a way recognizes the divine power in Jesus to overcome all obstacles and odds to overcome any opposition. If only he commands!

Such an assertion requires faith and these children of Zebedee show the same faith in their following of Jesus.

Does Jesus accede to their request, born out of a great ambition, which can even be termed a spiritual ambition?  What these were asking, along with their mother was not a worldly kingdom but a partnership in the reign of Christ.

Jesus in no way accedes to their request but in plain terms without mincing any words talks to them of sharing the same cup of suffering.

The scripture does not assure us that they actually did not understand the full implication of such a request from Jesus or could it be that they were already familiar with the term suffering as being closely associated with the cup.

But what comes across is clear; we are called to serve Christ dutifully and as for the higher rewards, we need to leave it to the Father who apportions to each one as he deems fit.

And one way he deems anyone possible worthy of a higher reward is by one’s action manifested through servant hood, slave hood and finally, the willingness to offer one’s life as a ransom, by participating in the mission of Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, prepare our hearts for your great call and to seek that higher goal in total accord with your teachings.

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