Bible
Study: 2nd Corinthians 4, 7 to 15 and Matthew 20, 20 to 28.
As we
celebrate the feast of St. James today, we are drawn to reflect on the
remarkable personality of this great apostle who shared his blood for the sake
of the faith. It so turned out that amongst the apostles of Jesus, James was
the first to die a martyr’s death under the sword of Herod.
In the Gospel
passage, we see the mother of James and John presenting her sons before Jesus
to make a request: “Please permit that these two sons of mine may sit one at
your left and the other at your right hand.” At first glance, it looks like it
is just the sole request of the mother. But when Jesus asks “Can you drink of
the cup? (suffering, persecution, hardship etc that would follow), it was not
the mother who responded but it is James and John themselves who answered: “Yes
we can!”
My personal
thinking here is that James and John brought their mother to Jesus to ask for
that privilege because they didn’t have the courage to go directly to Jesus
themselves. And it doesn’t stop at that, Jesus responds in such a wonderful
manner: “Yes you will drink of the cup but as for seats at my right and left,
they belong to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Hence to
their utter disappointment, Jesus did not grant their request. This scenario
speaks volume about prayer and God’s responses to us. Whenever we go to Jesus
to ask for something, we are praying, and like James and John, there are times
our prayers are not answered not because God is incapable of granting our
request, but because, that which we ask for is not meant for us.
It is okay to
be ambitious, it is a good thing to aspire to become the Head of your
organization, the Chairman of your community, the President of your group, the
CEO of your company, the Bishop etc. You may be ready to do anything, even to
share your blood like James and John but you must bear in mind that it is not
your ambition or your effort that would get you what you want but the WILL of
God.
It is interesting
to note that despite the fact that Jesus turned down their request, James and
John did not resign from the company of the twelve apostles. They went all the
way, they drank the cup; they spread the message by their lives and by their
blood. Do not live your life only for the sake of rewards. Just do what is
right and you will find inner peace and happiness.
Finally as
St. Paul says in the first reading, let nothing discourage you. Not even the
fact that your prayers are not granted for “we are afflicted in every way, but
not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Let us Pray:
Lord God, if it is your
will, grant me my heart desires, take this cross away but nevertheless not as I
will but let your will be done. Amen
Good
morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
Fr. Abu.
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