Weekly Reflection

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint. St. Ignatius of Loyola

In today's first reading, Isaiah foretells the suffering servant who will liberate the people by bearing their fault upon himself. In the second reading, the letter to the Hebrews presents Jesus, the High priest, who sympathizes with us in our weaknesses because he has a similar experience, except sin. And in the gospel reading, the Zebedee brothers, James and John, seek favor from Jesus. They wanted to be next to Jesus.

The desire of James and John in today's gospel reading connects us to last week's reflection. You recall the man who ran to Jesus asking, what must I do to inherit eternal life. This question of eternity is embedded with the excessive ambition of Zebedee's sons. In their case, they are not only interested in eternal life but aspiring to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in His Father's Kingdom. It is easy to condemn James and John, forgetting we could do a similar thing. Unfortunately, today's society testifies that you must have connections or know the right people when applying for a position or getting things done. Thus, Zebedee's sons took advantage of their closeness to Jesus to make their request.

Jesus took the time to school us, as He did James and John. Jesus' response was clear; "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?” Confidently, they responded yes. But to their yes, Jesus says their request is not for Him to grant. Because one cannot claim anything in exchange for a good deed, only God gives the gift. Indeed, at this time, they did not understand Jesus' word. However, they understood later, and James became one of the martyrs of the early Church. The drink of the cup and baptism of Jesus invites us to join the suffering servant mentioned in the first reading. The suffering servant who supports us in our suffering because he has passed through a similar experience.

Are you prepared to drink the cup of Jesus? Let us humbly lay down our lives sacrificially for others as Jesus did for us. Perhaps, we can begin at our homes, workplaces, and neighborhood and then extend to the Church and society. 

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever” St. John Chrysostom

In today’s first reading, King Solomon preferred the choice of Wisdom over riches. In the second reading, the letter to the Hebrews instructs that the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. And in the Gospel reading, Jesus answers the question of the man on what he must do to inherit eternal life. 

On the question of eternal life, the presumption is that every religion strives to respond to the subject. To be involved in any religion implies creating a relationship with a Supreme Being. As such, the supposed aim of any religion is to establish an eternal bond with the Supreme Being. For Christians, our target is to spend eternal life with God hereafter. The consciousness of this reality urges Catholics to live a life worthy of the goal. 

Consequently, it is not surprising to read of the man asking Jesus what he must do to attain eternal life. Allegedly, the man had kept all the commandments and wanted to know what else he could do to enter God’s kingdom. The instruction of Jesus to the man to sell his belongings and distribute them to the poor was distasteful and disappointing to him. The response of Jesus offers us an opportunity to reflect on our attachment to our possessions.

Attachment to wealth excludes God and our brothers and sisters. Wealth is intended to serve our needs. We are stewards of God’s gifts, administrators who need to render an account of our possessions. God understands our hearts and wants us to join Him in life everlasting. The choice of Wisdom by King Solomon over riches guides us on the right path. We trust in God to show us His Wisdom and to live by it. The indisputable Wisdom is found in the word of God that “is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts.”  

Where lies your priority? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Mt 6:33)