The Gospel and Reflection 20.10.24

Sunday, 20th October 2024

Serving others

” _whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant”_
——————————————
————-

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Send the fire of your Holy Spirit deep within us.

Protect us, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Souls in purgatory, pray for us.

Angels and Saints, pray for us.

Lord, send peace to our own homes and to the whole world.

———
——————————————
_The Lord said to St. Paul: “Fear not. . . . I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10)._
——————————————

Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Alleluia, alleluia.

*The Gospel*
Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?”
They answered him, “Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”
Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?”
They said to him, “We can.”
Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink and with the baptism with which I am baptised, you will be baptised but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognised as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

---

REFLECTION

 

 

What a bold statement from James and John.

But notice the gentleness in Jesus’ response.

The other apostles, however, were not as gentle.

In response, Jesus explains to them all that “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”

Our fallen human nature is regularly tempted to desire worldly greatness, prestige, honours, and admiration.

We want others to think well of us and even to envy us.

But this is a sin.

Recall that this was one of the temptations that Jesus overcame in the desert. The devil tempted our Lord by promising Him earthly rule over all the nations. Jesus rejected this temptation and, by doing so, provides all the grace we need to do the same.

Jesus is aware that our human nature itself is disordered on account of original sin.

But one thing todays Gospel reveals is that our Lord is patient with us, as we work through our sin.

He was patient and gentle with James and John while they attempted to gain places of honour next to Him. He was patient with the indignation of the other apostles when they struggled with envy and jealousy. And Jesus will be patient with us as we work through the sins that most tempt us.

——————–
PRAYER based on todays Gospel

My freeing Lord, You speak all Truth clearly and gently. You desire to enter my life, reveal my sin, and help me to overcome it. Please give me the grace I need to always listen to You and to allow Your words to change my life. Please free me from every disordered desire and tendency in my life, dear Lord, so that I can experience the joy of true freedom.

Jesus, I trust in You.

——————————————

PSALMODY

Like burning incense, Lord, let my prayer rise up to you.

*Psalm 141:1-9*
A prayer when in danger

An angel stood before the face of God, thurible in hand. The fragrant incense soaring aloft was the prayer of God’s people on earth (Revelation 8:4).

I have called to you, Lord; hasten to help me!
Hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer arise before you like incense,
the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.

Place, O Lord, a guard over my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips!
Do not turn my heart to things that are wrong,
to evil deeds with men who are sinners.

Never allow me to share in their feasting.
If a good man strikes or reproves me it is kindness;
but let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head.
Let my prayer be ever against their malice.

To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned:
in you I take refuge; spare my soul!
From the trap they have laid for me keep me safe:
keep me from the snares of those who do evil.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord, from the rising of the sun to its setting your name is worthy of all praise. Let our prayer come like incense before you. May the lifting up of our hands be as an evening sacrifice acceptable to you, Lord our God.

Like burning incense, Lord, let my prayer rise up to you.

You are my refuge, Lord; you are all that I desire in life.

*THE LORD’S PRAYER*

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

*FOR THE FAMILY AND THE HOME*

Saint Joseph, protect our home. Pour forth from heaven blessings on our family. Remain in our midst. Help us to live in love and harmony, in peace and joy. May the wholesome fear of God strengthen us that virtue may adorn what we do and our way may lead to heaven.

To you this day I give the key to our dwelling place. Lock out all things that could do us harm. Lock my home and my loved ones with me in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. This I beg of you, that our days may be like your days in the holy home at Nazareth. Amen.

*CONCLUDING PRAYER*

Let us pray,

Lord, be with us throughout this night.
When day comes may we rise from sleep to rejoice in the resurrection of your Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
— Amen.

—————-

May the all-powerful Lord
grant us a restful night
and a peaceful death.
— Amen.

—————-

Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).

 

Gospel reflection taken in part from catholic daily reflections.com

———————

Father, I thank you for you have heard my prayer (John 11:41).