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Gospel Reading for February 28, 2024 – Matthew 20: 17-28
BEST SERVICE
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “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, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then 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.”
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Jesus was so focused on his mission. He was so determined to do the Father’s will to save humanity whatever the cost that he was so cool telling his disciples what would happen to him once they step into Jerusalem. Can we imagine ourselves talking about the great suffering we will go through, even if it will mean resurrecting afterwards? The mere thought of it will already have a dreadful effect on us and probably renege on a promise out of fear. Yet, it is what following Jesus really means, which the mother of the sons of Zebedee could not understand. In God’s Kingdom, what will earn us laurels are not accomplishments that are considered great in this world, because the accomplishments are about being able to be of BEST SERVICE to others, especially to those in need. This is why during the Lenten Season, we practice fasting & abstinence, as well as alms-giving. Indeed, Heaven is for those who allow themselves to be slaves of Jesus, the Master!
Lord Jesus, help us understand the salvific value of the sufferings we go through in life!
