As I see this picture from The Passion of Christ, it brings to my heart and mind the terrible suffering Jesus endured for me and for each of us. No wonder, the apostles and disciples of Christ did not want to hear him talk about it! It seems as if they tried to cushion themselves from what Christ was trying to tell them and in order to do so, they tried to put it out of their minds.
The Gospel today proclaims Jesus telling the apostles of his coming suffering and death. Then, it is followed, almost humorously, by the mother of James and John, asking Jesus for special places for her sons in his kingdom. It kind of makes me want to say "What? Lady, didn't you hear what he just said?"
Well, maybe "shame on her" and definitely "shame on me". I realize as I type this that I often miss the import of what he just said. I know he is asking me to love to the end, no matter what that costs of me and after hearing him, I go on with my plans and pursuits in life. It's like, "Sure, Lord. Thanks for telling me, but I was wondering, would you help me with this present need right now?" I suppose Jesus has as much patience with me at those times as he did with James' and John's mother.
The Paschal Mystery of Christ is what my life is all about. If God is my center, I live out my life as he did, embracing the cross in whatever shape or at whatever time it comes to me. As his disciple, I am following him by taking up my cross each day.
Jesus is saying to me, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem . . . " each time I am inconvenienced, sick, unjustly treated or maligned. I too often what to shout out "No!" yet, even while shouting that, I still want to be considered one of his disciples.
Resurrection Spirituality calls me to see the whole of my life as moments of discipleship. The good and happy times, and the sad and painful times are all part of the journey he is asking me to make. Risen and with me for every one of those moments, Jesus helps me to follow him. I need to remember this.
The Gospel today proclaims Jesus telling the apostles of his coming suffering and death. Then, it is followed, almost humorously, by the mother of James and John, asking Jesus for special places for her sons in his kingdom. It kind of makes me want to say "What? Lady, didn't you hear what he just said?"
Well, maybe "shame on her" and definitely "shame on me". I realize as I type this that I often miss the import of what he just said. I know he is asking me to love to the end, no matter what that costs of me and after hearing him, I go on with my plans and pursuits in life. It's like, "Sure, Lord. Thanks for telling me, but I was wondering, would you help me with this present need right now?" I suppose Jesus has as much patience with me at those times as he did with James' and John's mother.
The Paschal Mystery of Christ is what my life is all about. If God is my center, I live out my life as he did, embracing the cross in whatever shape or at whatever time it comes to me. As his disciple, I am following him by taking up my cross each day.
Jesus is saying to me, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem . . . " each time I am inconvenienced, sick, unjustly treated or maligned. I too often what to shout out "No!" yet, even while shouting that, I still want to be considered one of his disciples.
Resurrection Spirituality calls me to see the whole of my life as moments of discipleship. The good and happy times, and the sad and painful times are all part of the journey he is asking me to make. Risen and with me for every one of those moments, Jesus helps me to follow him. I need to remember this.
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