The WORD today reminds me that we should follow Jesus because he knows how to do things.

In the gospel, Jesus is telling his disciples something very new to them. He is teaching a new definition of greatness, a definition different from what they know, different from the world. It may not be so easy to grasp because it is something different and something new, especially with the way they saw greatness with what they asked - that one sit on each side of Jesus. It may be different from what we know, but we see in the second reading what to do. We see in the second reading whom to go to for guidance, because he experienced what we are going through as well.

Jesus knows what we are feeling. We should go to him.

Jesus was both divine and human. He was divine as he is one with God. However, he is human too, just like us. He felt everything we are feeling. He felt hunger, pain and anger. He felt how it is to be loved by his mother, and how hurtful it was to be betrayed. He was also tempted in every way – just as we are being constantly tempted by the devil. He knows what we are going through. He experienced everything. And he is like us in every way except in one thing – he did not sin. He remained pure and focused on God despite everything.

Jesus knows what to do everytime.

We should come to Jesus when we do not know what to do. Actually, we should come to Jesus everytime – for guidance. For strength, for enlightenment. He knows what we are going through. He experienced what we are experiencing. And he has overcome them all. We know that his teaching on greatness and being a servant leader is true. We should humble ourselves before him, and confidently go to him, knowing he will always be ready to help and guide us.

Who do I look up to in life? Who is my role model? What do I do or who do I go to if I do not know what to do or who to act? Do I look for other people, or do I come to Jesus?

May we be strengthened that Jesus knows what we are going through, and was able to conquer the world. Let us come to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for the inspiration. Thank you for the direction. Lord, sorry for the times I do not come to you. Sorry for seeking guidance and direction elsewhere. Sorry for not following what you want me to do. Lord, help me to always humble myself and come to you. Help me look up to you and go to you for everything – for guidance, for direction, for help. I know you can relate to what I am going through, and you know how to get past it. Help me live like you do. And may I please God like you do. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 146

Reading I

Is 53:10-11

The LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction
   he shall see the light in fullness
       of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
   and their guilt he shall bear.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

R. (22)    Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
   and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
   of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
   upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
   and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
   who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
   who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Reading II

Heb 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Alleluia

Mk 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
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 for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

My Simple Reflection

Sunday, October 17, 2021

He Knows How