Wednesday – 8th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Mark 10:32-45

Sacrifice – Part 2

Sitting in the Pew

Heading back to Chicago tomorrow for 8th grade graduation at St. Robert’s!  I’ve known many of these kids since they were in kindergarten; many of them I trained as altar servers way back in 4th grade.  So very proud of all their accomplishments, so full of hope for their future!  It brings back so many fond memories – all the prep work for those server trainings, all the practice sessions, the nervousness during their first Masses, all those service projects, ice cream handouts, pizza parties, celebrating Christmas by decorating the church for the holidays.  So much time and effort!  So many hours of planning and prep work!  All that sacrifice!

And I’m not talking about me!!  I’m talking about Ginger!  All her sacrifice!  All the times she sat in the pew alone!  All those evenings when I was away at church for meetings or practice or whatever.  All the weeks we planned out my schedule, searching for some time together! All of her “yeses’ to my diaconal ministry!  All the times she shared me with the parish!  That’s what I call faith!  That’s what I call sacrifice!  Thank you!!!!!!  And thank you to all the deacon wives!

In today’s Gospel, Jesus has just revealed to His disciples that they are going up to Jerusalem where He will be arrested, condemned, mocked, tortured and crucified!  No flowery language, no story, just simple blunt words!  Jesus is going to make the ultimate sacrifice.

You would think they would all be horrified, terrified.  And yet James and John jump in and ask for a favor.   Can we have places of honor in Your kingdom, one on the right and one on the left?  No signs of sadness at Jesus’ words!  No attempt to talk Him out of going to Jerusalem!  Apparently blinded by ambition or power, they are in complete denial about the meaning of Jesus’ words. You have to wonder about Jesus’ reaction.  Were you even listening?  Did you hear what I said?  And the other disciples?  They aren’t too pleased either.  They became indignant!

It is up to Jesus to remind the disciples that His mission has nothing to do with power or thrones.  It is a mission to others!  It is dedication to a life of service and sacrifice for the love of our neighbor!  He reminds them that love involves sacrifice, that we are called to serve, not to be served!

So let’s remember today not merely those times when we are called to sacrifice but also those people in our lives who willingly and faithfully sacrifice themselves out of love for us!

 Great Spirit, help me today to serve others in the spirit of love and sacrifice and to be grateful for those who give up so much for us!

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