The Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene; Return of the Relics of the Priest-Martyr Phocas
1 Corinthians 14:6-19; Matthew 20:17-28
Read Matthew 20:17-28
Today’s encounter between the sons of Zeb’edee, their mother and Jesus is very fascinating. It attests to the flawed and fallen human nature. Jesus teaching about his crucifixion seems to go right over their heads: Jesus is speaking about the mystery of the crucified Messiah and they completely miss the point. Completely blind to the moment the Zeb’edee family uses this as an opportunity to get ahead in the ‘rat race’ of life: “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
How often does it happen that we miss the point of God’s salvific will for us? How often do we approach prayer with the same sort of zeal as the Zeb’edee family: in a group, unified in voice, on bended knees but with a prayer that contradicts the Gospel. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t speak to God what’s on our heart—children speak what’s on their heart very innocently to parents and even to strangers. When we open our heart to God, no matter what we ask, it always must be humbly concluded with ‘Your will be done.” Jesus gives us the prayer of all prayers and this is the golden standard for all prayer. Whether it is prewritten or spontaneous it should always fall in line with the petitions of the Lord’s prayer. This way we are allowing God to be God, we show that we are ready to accept his providential care and invite His infinite wisdom to guide our life.