Reflections on Scripture | Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 20:20-28

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."

Reflection

It's a very natural thing, in our human nature to want to be successful, to be great, to be important. But the interesting thing in this gospel is that Jesus is trying to say something about greatness. Greatness is not having authority over anyone. It is about serving everyone. And the most important thing that Jesus is revealing through His very presence is that the God that we have believed in forever has always had one focus that wasn't revealed til later

in the story of Scripture. It is that He is a servant God. He is a God who came and His basic function and longing is to give life to you and to me. We have to know that God and not a God of simple power.

Closing Prayer

Father, as we evolve and grow as a spiritual being, we need to see and understand more of who you truly are. Open our hearts to receive the message. Let it take root in us, so that we can become like you. Not a master, but a servant, a lover, a forgiver, a caregiver. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Kyle Cross