29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (“B”)
Q. 707: What is so wrong with James and John’s request to sit by Jesus in the eternal kingdom? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
October 21, 2012
A. 707: Disorders in the human heart are obstacles on our path to an intimate relationship with God. Examples in our own life include the act of yielding to the temptations of power and prestige. It can be very subtle, because many folks (perhaps subconsciously) would love to be “king” in the sense of always having life go the way of their choosing. Even two of the Apostles were tainted by this disorder, as our gospel reveals (Mark 10:35-45).
In our society today we see too many politicians who want to lord it over everyone else, behaving as if they are better than all others – a real abuse of their power and responsibility. Jesus had to remind the Apostles, and therefore us, that greatness consists in humbly serving others with a goal of truly helping them without an ulterior and selfish motive.
The only way we can overcome these selfish and disordered attachments is to imitate Jesus in His selfless and generous love of all people. As John of the Cross teaches, when I really love another, I have the strength to surrender my disordered tendencies and attachments. If I do not surrender them, then my relationships with Jesus and with those persons in my life remain an exercise in my own egotism. Everyone desires God; but it is only through acts of mortification or self-denial (for beginners in the spiritual life), and the daily practice of the virtues, that we will be enabled to really “find” God.
Our goal is to love and serve God, not for the spiritual consolations He can give us, but simply because He is our God, our Creator, and our Savior. If that relationship is in order, then we will be able to love and serve every other human being, regardless of their own disorders or weaknesses. This imitation of Jesus is the path to holiness.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Christ’s whole life expresses his mission: “to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (CCC 608). Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5), who became a servant for all. This is now our mission.
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)
