Imitating Jesus means putting self after concern for God’s will and the good of His people
Reflections on the readings for World Mission Sunday, the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 21, 2018): IS 53:10-11; PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; HEB 4:14-16; MK 10:35-45
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The incident in the Gospel for today must have been disturbing and disappointing to Jesus.
Two of His closest friends and followers wanted Him to promise that they would be the most prominent of the Apostles. Obviously, neither John nor James, nor the rest of the Twelve for that matter, grasped the commitment of service and suffering that those who shared Christ’s cup and baptism must expect. “Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those whom it has been prepared’” (Mark 10:39-40).
Despite all that Jesus had revealed about Himself and His coming Passion, they still understood almost nothing. John and James and the others remained concerned about their own power and authority. So Jesus had to spell out for them that God’s way of looking at life was opposite to what the world generally wanted. Personal ambition must be put aside. To be great means to serve. To be the Son of Man, or as close to Him as possible, one has to be prepared to lay down life itself for the love of God and the spiritual welfare of His people.
Today, on this World Mission Sunday, we remember in our prayers and with our sacrifices missionaries around the world who give their lives each day for the love of God and the spiritual welfare of those in greatest need. We unite our prayers and offerings as our service to the Missions, knowing the Lord blesses us for this outreach. And after today's celebration, which unites us at the Eucharist with our brothers and sisters around the world, let us remember their needs and those who offer them service in our daily prayers.
October is Mission Month.
World Mission Sunday is October 21.
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