“And they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified.” – Matthew 20:18, 19

         I was on the way to Batangas to pick up my 12-year-old son from his summer youth camp. The highway was almost empty because it was a Sunday and Manny Pacquiao also had a boxing match that morning. The skies were clear, the radio played good music and the scenery was peaceful. It was such a relaxing drive that that I missed my toll exit. I had no choice but to take the next exit a few kilometers away to make a U-turn. I lost time and money because I got too comfortable.

        I changed my attitude as I reentered the highway. This time, I was more alert so I wouldn’t miss the right exit. I arrived at the campsite only a few minutes late.

       It’s the same with our lives. Sometimes, we forget to focus and we get lost when life gets too comfortable.

        If you experience trials and life seems hard, simply be alert and focus on Jesus so you may reach your destination. Jesus also experienced difficulties. He was persecuted, mocked, scourged and crucified. Yet He remained focused on His mission so that we may receive the gift of salvation. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

Reflection:“Don’t let your trials blow you down; let them lift you up.” (Woodrow Kroll)

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me the way. You experienced trials and difficulties to save us.

St. Louise de Marillac, pray for us.

Jeremiah knew that he will be persecuted by the leaders of the Israelites. That is why, from the very start, he told God that he did not want to be a prophet. But God prevailed upon him. Jeremiah suffered for the sake of his mission just as we will suffer as Christians. Are we ready to be modern-day prophets?

18 The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said, “Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.” 19 Heed me, O Lord, and listen to what my adversaries say. 20 Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

R: Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

4 [5] You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 [6] Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. (R) 13 [14] I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side, as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life. (R) 14 [15] But my trust is in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 [16] In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. (R)

Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to suffer. The disciples are surprised and cannot imagine why the Messiah has to experience suffering. Many Christians today believe in the “prosperity gospel,” the kind that teaches that only good things come to those who follow Christ. The Scriptures teach that it is a blessing to be saved but does not mention that people who follow Christ are exempted from suffering.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and hand him over 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 Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. 21 He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” 23 He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 26 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

think: With Jesus as your model, in what ways can you serve others?

Read the Bible in one year Genesis 4-6

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

SERVICE, NOT HONORS

Today’s two readings have something in common. In the First Reading, we hear about a plot to kill the prophet Jeremiah, for he was telling the people what they did not like to hear. And in the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that He will soon suffer like Jeremiah, because He knew that the Jewish authorities were plotting to kill Him.

       It is quite sad and very insensitive that, at such a moment, the ambitious mother of James and John tried to ask for special places of honor in the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel of Mark, it was not the mother but the two brothers themselves who asked Jesus directly for this favor.

       Seeking the limelight was and still is common in every society, even in the Church. And so it should not surprise us when even James and John, two very close friends of Jesus, fell into that temptation, saying, “What’s in it for me, Lord?”

       The desire for honor and power, for climbing the social ladder, can easily blind a person to realize what it means to follow Christ. It can blind a person to the meaning of true service according to Jesus’ standards, namely to think first of others before thinking about one’s self.

       Jesus, as we said, had just told His Apostles about His fast approaching passion and death, and we can imagine that it weighs heavily on His heart. Surely He was expecting some comforting words from His friends. But drowning in their own fascination for recognition, they are completely unmindful of Christ’s inner pain. But He doesn’t let Himself get discouraged. Rather, He gently helps them to look beyond themselves to follow His lead of self-giving to the point of death. He reminds them that He did not come to be served but to serve. And we should learn from Him. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

Are you sometimes like John and James, seeking honor for yourself?

Lord, too often I compare myself with others. It’s easy for me to imagine I am better than them. And so I ignore You and Your great goodness. I forget that everything I have comes from You. Help me to keep this truth in mind so I may have an attitude of genuine humility in my heart. Amen.