Reflection for Sunday October 20, Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:35-45 #mjdasma

Reflection for Sunday October 20, Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:35-45 #sundayreflection + + + + + + Reflection: A young man aspired to become a priest. When he was asked by the person in charge of screening the aspirants why he wanted to become a priest, he said, "I want to serve the people, and I want to be their servant. However, this was not his true motivation. The young man wanted to be a priest because he desired power. He wanted the people of his community to look up to him, and he yearned for their respect and adulation. In this Sunday’s Gospel, we have the brothers James and John, who asked to be seated beside Jesus in His kingdom. Why did they ask for this undeserved honor? What were they thinking when they made such a shameful request? Were they truly following Jesus to serve, or were they simply seeking power and adulation? We can see that the real intention of James and John was to show the people that they were close to Jesus. In their minds, sitting beside Him symbolized power and influence. They believed that, like Jesus, they too would be revered and adored. How many of us truly understand that following Jesus means embracing humility and sacrifice? How many of us realize that being close to Jesus requires letting go of power? How many of us know that being close to Jesus is not about seeking adulation and respect? We will never be close to Jesus if we seek power and adulation. True closeness with Jesus requires us to reject these desires. When we turn away from power and adulation, we begin to embrace servanthood and humility, which Jesus embodies. Why do you follow Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas