Jesus calls us to drink His cup.

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

In today’s gospel reading (Mark 10:32-45), James and John are just a little bold in asking Jesus to sit at his side in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus replies to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" Jesus tells James and John that their request is a little bit self serving. This request also causes some conflict among the other disciples. Who would be so bold as to ask this question? They are no better then we are. The gospel reading says that the other disciples “began to be indignant at James and John.” Jesus, feeling the tension among his disciples said to them: “but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” So what is Jesus calling us to do? We must be willing to drink of His cup and live His baptism. Jesus’ cup was one of sacrifice and servitude. Therefore, to reign in the Kingdom of Heaven, we must be willing to make great sacrifices. We must be willing to be servants to those who are least. We must be willing to wash the feet of the lowliest of mankind.

Jesus calls us to drink His cup. This means living a truly Christian life and making daily sacrifices. It is easy for us to glorify God when we’re in church and to do good deeds for our parents, our close friends or possibly even our siblings. But how easy is it for us to be a servant to the homeless. Do we go out of our way to help the poor or the aging? When was the last time you went to a nursing home to visit the elderly or worked in a soup kitchen? The two summer work camps are great expressions of this kind of love and servitude to Christ. Jesus came to this earth not to be served, but to serve. He came to free us from the slavery of sin. To truly become the Messiah, he had to first become a servant. Are you willing to sacrifice your life to be a servant for the Lord? Tonight during your examination of conscience, ask the Lord to help you discern your calling, to help you understand what it means to be his servant. Ask Him to guide you in a clear direction to be his servant.

A Simple Prayer Lord Jesus, You died on the Cross as a ransom for many. Give me the strength and wisdom to drink from your cup, and to live in the fullness of your baptism. From this nourishment, may I be a loyal servant to you.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon