25/07/2024

My computer is quite old. Each day it seems slower than the day before. 

Why have I begun a reflection on the Scriptural mass-readings for today by talking about my computer? I have read, on my computer, the passages but although for the few seconds I was reading my mind was in 1st Century Palestine, it was soon brought back to the present day by "news stories" flashing across the screen as I waited for this "app" to open.

St Paul, unlike me, is a man who having been called to his mission never lost touch with the Lord. The Grace with which he was filled was never lessened. No matter how much he spread the Good News it was never diminished for him, Paul the Pharisee. It was the same Good News by which he was blinded on the road to Damascus. All of the problems of this life were overcome for Paul by his focus on the Resurrection.

Today's Gospel reading is a bit of "gossip" about the "machinations" of "The Mother of Zebedee's Sons". The mother was determined that her sons should not lose out when Jesus' kingdom became a reality. The "sons" both fully-grown men accept this intervention by their mother and accompanied her.(I bet they both felt mortified whenever this event came to mind in later life.)

But there is never anything that is trivial about Jesus and this embarrassing seeking after worldly success for her sons by a mother, is an opportunity for Jesus to emphasise that he is not the Jewish long-awaited Messiah, King of this World. He is the "Suffering Servant"; he does not wish to be seen as anything in life other than the Incarnate Son, who serves; his total being is  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, incarnate for our sakes. 

When he is raised up on Calvary; a naked near corpse nailed to a cross; we all know that this is  "the cup" that Jesus had to drink and the blood-stained reality of  "The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many."

Dear Lord, accept my humble worship. The thoughts that become prayer. Help me be as you would have me be. Let my words come from the Holy Spirit in communion with Mary, John, James,  the other James and with all the Saints and be a plea for forgiveness and enlightenment for all sinners still breathing in this world or suffering the pains of Purgatory until your final return. Maranatha Lord. Come Lord Jesus Come.