Opening Prayer
 

"Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We can.’" (Mt. 20:22)

Her sons had been two members of Jesus’ entourage: the Apostles. Jesus had special confidence in them.

James and John's mother tried to ascertain for her sons the perfect political future, in the great kingdom that was to come about with Jesus as the Messianic King. "Promise me that these sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and the other at your left." (21)

The bad part of having high aspirations and wanting great things is that we then have a hard time balancing ourselves to not fall into false ambition, competitiveness and egotistical behavior and thinking. That "balance" is even more difficult to attain if, while looking for ways to "help and serve" others, we wind up becoming self-serving and taking advantage of those less fortunate than us. Few of us can manage wealth and faith.

"Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all..." (26-28)

Psalm 37: "Those whose steps are guided by the LORD; their steps do not falter."

St. James, brother of John, called "Greater" for he followed Christ before the other apostle John; first of the Twelve to be martyred, being decapitated by order of Herod Agrippa. Patron of Spain, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Our Prayer Continues