In Matthew’s account of this same story, it is the mother of James and John who makes this request of Jesus. That version makes James and John look less guilty. “We didn’t ask Jesus for this. Mom did!” But Mark’s Gospel says it was the two disciples themselves who ask Jesus for the “highest seats” in his new organization. How frustrated Jesus must have been. His closest followers, those who walked beside him and listened to him every day, had failed to grasp his essential message: Discipleship with Jesus is expressed not by your rank on a seating chart but by your humble service of others.
This story can console us. Even great saints got it embarrassingly wrong at times. This story can also challenge us. It asks: In what forms of service do you express your discipleship with Jesus?
- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Padre Pio's reading for today. I will share. "Too much fear makes one labor without love, and too much confidence prevents us from considering the dangers which we must overcome. The one must go hand in hand with the other and proceed as sisters." Ken
Amen, Sr. Melannie! The homily in last night's vigil mass was very similar to your devotion.
Thank you Sr. Melannie what great words to reflect on and live by. Wouldn't this world be a great place without rank? If we all saw each other as equals and helped one another? We are all servants of God with the same common goal! Blessings to all the LFF and those with extra needs these days. May we all spread the word of God to all the world. I ask for an extra prayer for the souls of Pat and Joanna S., parishioners at our church that last week were killed in a rollover car accident. They were definitely servants of the lord in many ways.
Hello Sr. Melannie and Stormi, yes indeed wouldn’t it be a great world if we all accepted the role we are asked to carry out In pursuance of Gods will and did so with a loving heart. We are parts of the one body of Christ so we have different gifts and therefore different roles. Each role is equally essential to the perfect functioning of the whole. Ego and pride, the cause of the original fall resides in all of us, it’s like a virus that can be activated by our behaviour. Once we are aware the threat it poses, we can choose to prevent its spread by making the right choices. God guide daily to your truth.
Storming- Praying for the souls of your departed friends and parishioners. I also pray for comfort for their loved ones.
Stormi I will pray for you and Pat and Joanna right now and this afternoon. Jane loved your quotes size and service and goal more important than role. Salina played that utube Brought tears to my eyes, even though I am not the father she was singing about, I forwarded it to my two blessed daughters and told them "their mom and I think they are doing a great job." Living faith family wisdom of the saints for yesterday and today. "Pray to soften hardened hearts, to open darkened minds " Saint Charbel Makhlouf. " You don't love your enemies what they are, but what you would have them to become " Saint Augustine. Ken
Sr. Melannie, thank you for this. I subscribe to servant leadership. I heard two great quotes from Alan Hunt this morning when talking about servant leader. For the first it was: size is measured in service. The second was: the goal is more important than the role. We all have a part here and we need all parts to succeed. It was a very good reflection on Jesus building his team - his team of servant leaders. Continued prayers being asked for all of us parents who are navigating the journey while being a mapmaker, as well. Happy Sunday LFF. Amen.
Thank you for your great quotes today, Jane. The message is clear and the rhyme makes it easier to remember. Thinking about Susan and Juan. How are they doing? Continued prayers for them.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Workimg Mom, put this song on replay, The Truth by Megan Woods, https://youtu.be/5fSVWVYkh2A?si=Kx_LzmbicoPjoz37 *** I need to be reminded of the Truth...this is my 'pronoun' displayed along with my name on Zoom, "Daughter of the Most High King!"
Salina, Thank you for the recommendation. I listened and it is a stunningly beautiful message to remember. Thank you!
*** John 8:31-32, "Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the Truth (Jesus), and the Truth (Jesus) will set you free.” Amen!!! *** No Jesus , no peace! Know Jesus, know peace! John 14:27, "I (Jesus) leave My peace with you. I give My peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid." *** Jesus' promise in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of Me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world!" ******* Paul's testimony and experience in Philippians 4:6-7, "Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to Him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood!"
We don't want/need volunteers, we pray for servants instead!!! Volunteers tend to give up their extra time, money and treasure! Servants tend to give back their time, money and treasure! *** Jesus is our example as a servant in Mark 10:45, "Even the Son of Man did not come to be served. Instead, He came to serve others. He came to give His life as the price for setting many people free.” *** Volunteers expects a return of their investment, whereas servants expects nothing in return for what they give back belongs to God in the first place! *** God calls those He will equip and provide in Ephesiand 4:11-13, "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the Church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ!" ******* Leaders of the Church need to get this message across - Pray for servants to serve and not volunteers to volunteer!!!
Salina, love this. Scarcity versus abundance. Amen.
Thank you Sr Svoboda for reminding us that there are times when even when we want to do or say what is right, we invariably do or say what is wrong (Romans 7:15, 21). But we can take comfort in knowing that God loves us always and in all ways!
AMEN!
I think the reason why they asked their mom to do it was they were still children in adult bodies. Mom... help us!
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Amen.