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Gospel Reading for July 25, 2026 – Matthew 20: 20-28
THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE
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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Kingdoms of the world came into existence because tribes and small villages needed leaders who could protect them from enemies, settle disputes, organize farming and trade, and build roads, walls, and irrigation systems. The strongest warrior, the wisest leader, or the most successful chief would eventually become the ruler. As several tribes united, their territory became a kingdom, and its ruler became its king. When a king died, there had to be a successor, usually the king’s eldest child. This gave rise to the term “royal blood,” even though their blood was no different from our own—whether A, B, AB, or O. Yet no king or member of royalty was ever immortal. Like everyone else, they all return to the same place after this earthly life: “All are from the dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20).
In contrast, Jesus always spoke about the Kingdom of God, which is vastly different from the kingdoms and kings of this world. Jesus, the King of all kings, was not born in a palace but in a humble manger. At the Last Supper, instead of being served by his twelve disciples, he washed their feet, leaving them a profound lesson in humble service. He did not wear the jeweled crown of an earthly king. Instead, he wore a crown of thorns that pierced his head and, according to some studies, may have contributed to his death.
And what was his blood type? No one knows. But we do know that it was by his Precious Blood, poured out in love for all, that we were redeemed.
His Kingdom is not made up of a collection of tribes or defined by territorial boundaries. It transcends all nations, races, and generations. In his Kingdom, we are protected from our greatest enemy—the devil—who can never overcome the infinite power of God. We find the true resolution to our conflicts and the right way to live through the teachings of Jesus. That is why, in God’s Kingdom, greatness is measured not by power or status, but by humble service, especially to those who are most in need.
So, there it is: the King of God’s Kingdom reigns not over lands or borders, but over THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE.
Lord Jesus, may your Kingdom come—not only today, but always. Amen.
