READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Second Letter to the Corithians
2 COR 4:7-15
Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being given up to death
for the sake of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,
we too believe and therefore speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew
MT 20:20-28
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
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.”
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.”
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.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
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.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
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.”
Monday 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Saint James the Apostle
(Mt 20:20-28)
GOD’S TEACHINGS
Dear People of God,
The Word of God in today’s Gospel tells about the apostles arguing with each other about the issue of authority and position when following the Lord.
The apostles were close followers of Jesus Christ and witnessed many of the miracles that Jesus Christ performed. At that time, Jesus Christ stood out more than the Jewish masters or the prophets and prophecies, for He alone could raise the dead. The reason why the apostles followed Jesus Christ is that they thought their Master was like an earthly king. Therefore, they followed Him in the hope of having a position, status, and power in the world.
Through the story between the mother of James and the apostles, Jesus wants to teach His disciples a lesson about service: to follow God is to serve people, not let the others serve you. The image of Jesus Christ is an example of a life of humble service, serving people with a self-sacrificing love worthy of all His children to emulate.
Now, God also wants His disciples, when following Jesus Christ, to become servants to everyone. Because anyone who wants to be great must first be a servant, not let people serve him like a king and mandarin on earth. Because the authority of earthly kings is limited, fleeting, and will end at the end of earthly life. The Kingdom of Heaven is the place where God dwells, where there is eternal life that can never be lost. Therefore, the purpose of Jesus Christ incarnated as a man was to serve man in order to save all the souls of the children that God created.
In this age, in order to save souls, God continues to send His apostles to go out and serve, preach the Gospel, heal and exorcise, save souls from God invites all the apostles when sent to preach the Gospel: to be small, lowly, and to serve everyone according to the example of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
