The Real Reward

~~~ Sirach 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17 ~~~ Psalm 79 ~~~ Mark10:32-45 ~~~

 

Reward those who have hoped in you,
and let your prophets be proved true.

 

Jesus is sharing with his apostles the future things that will happen to him.

As they listened intently, James and John seemed

 disconnected from the gravity of his words.

 

They were more concerned with having their wishes heard and met by Jesus.

If they were amazed they were more

 interested in looking out for themselves.

 

‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

 

 

They were looking for their reward for being two of his followers.

It usually does not work well to try and bargain with God.

Yes, Jesus may have needed them as his followers, but

he did not 'need' these two men.

 

Sometimes when we are faced with a tragedy, such as a terrible accident or death,

our brain gets confused. We may even laugh even though it is not appropriate.

I have experienced this first hand in the workplace.

 

Maybe these two apostles were so overwhelmed

 with all that Jesus was telling them that

they reacted inappropriately without intending to.

Maybe they really did not know how they should react.
So theses words just came tumbling out of their mouths.

Have you ever said something only to later regret having said it?
I have. Our initial reaction is often not the best reaction.

Clearly they were looking for their reward while the others... 

They were amazed,
those who followed were afraid.

When we are fully present to what Jesus told the apostles that day;
being afraid would have been a normal reaction.

...condemn him to death...
...will mock him,
spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death,
but after three days he will rise.”

We are the Resurrection peoples.
We know that after three days Jesus was indeed raised from the dead.
Today we have no reason to be afraid.

We have every reason to be joyful.
The real reward comes in the serving of others,
just as Jesus modeled for us.
The ultimate reward is everlasting life in heaven.

Blessings are all around you.