Mark 10:35-45
Lead in: In Mark 10:35, we hear how James and John came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Jesus replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” That bold request says a lot about where James and John were at that point. Their focus was yet on self-gain rather than self-giving. When you need to be the hero, the ego will do that to you.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you caught yourself being driven by the ego’s hero need for
self-gain rather than self-giving.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you were able to let go of your ego’s hero need for that place of honor.
Lead in: Despite his bungling way, Peter was considered the lead disciple. James and John’s bold request of Jesus reveals their need to be right up there with Peter.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when jealousy or a feeling of inadequacy created in you a need to win out at any cost over the competition.
Lead in: Jesus was aware that the path he was on, in all probability, would cost him his very life. Yet, it appears that the disciples’ loyalty to Jesus is yet motivated by the promise of status and prestige. It seems that, despite his best efforts, very little of what Jesus had taught his disciples was sinking in. As spiritual director Rachelle Linner puts it, all this was a reminder to Jesus of the challenges of convincing even his own disciples of the way of radical self-giving.
Prompt: We’ve all had times when we’ve worked hard to achieve a goal, but our efforts seemed for naught. And so, we came up short of the goal line. Times like these can be very discouraging. They must have been that for Jesus.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when discouragement may have gotten the better of you. What did you do to fight your way out of that place of discouragement?
Lead in: Somewhat clueless, James and John are seeking places of honor with Jesus. Caught up in the moment, they lose sight of what’s really important.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when, caught up in the moment, you lost sight of what is really important.
Lead in: In Isaiah 53, the prophet speaks of a servant of God who will suffer greatly. Yet, because of his affliction, he (the suffering servant) “shall see the light”.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when a suffering you endured led to the light of a new beginning.
