Lenten message of Pope Francis from Fratelli Tutti 47

Persons or situations we find unpleasant or disagreeable are simply deleted in today’s virtual networks; isolating us from the real world in which we are living.


TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Mathew 20 : 21 " And Jesus said to the mother of James and John, what do you want?


TODAY'S REFLECTION

Mothers always want the best for their children. 

In this morning’s gospel reading, the mother of James and John asks Jesus for the best places in his kingdom for her two sons. 

She interceded with Jesus on behalf of her sons. 

However, her request, her prayer, was not one that Jesus could respond to. 

Jesus did not respond to every request that was made of him; not every prayer we make is heard. 

Instead of responding to the mother’s request, Jesus made a request of his own to her two sons, ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ 

Jesus was asking James and John if they were ready to follow him, even though it would mean travelling the way of the cross. 

The question that Jesus asked James and John is one that he addresses to us all. 

He asks how committed we are to his way of life, to the values he lived by and died for. 

Like the mother of James and John, we often ask the Lord for something in prayer. 

Today’s gospel reminds us that the Lord also asks us for something; he asks us for nothing less than ourselves; he asks us to give ourselves to him as he gave himself to us on the cross.

The choice is ours, Jesus technique of establishing the kingdom was based on Passion, death and resurrection. 

The travelling towards the kingdom was through humility.

Do we choose the Chair or the Cross?

Very often we settle down to sit on the “Chair”…the ‘chair’ of comfort and relaxation… the ‘chair’ of lethargy and indifference… the ‘chair’ of materialism and individualism

But the Lord challenges us to carry the “Cross”… the ‘Cross’ of responsibility and commitment… the ‘Cross’ of witnessing to the Lord and trusting in Him… the ‘Cross’ of serving the deprived and being sensitive to the need of the other

Let us give heed to the words of St Louise de Marillac (the patroness of the parentless and of social workers):

“If humility, simplicity and charity which produce support, are well established in you…… your community will be made up of as many saints as there are persons!”

Yes, let us dare to follow the path of humility…… and seek to positively answer to the question that Jesus poses to each of us:

“What is more important for you in life? Cross or Chair?”


RESOLUTION

Lets resolve knowing that the way of the Christian is none but the Way of the Cross and the path to it is humility

Happie Wednesday

Let's pray for Fr. Stan Swamy as his bail plea will be heard today.

Let's pray to Joseph to protect all our families especially that are on the cross roads