Fr. Gabriel hears Confessions before Saturday Mass from 4 - 4:45 pm.
Fr. Gabriel will hear Confessions before or after Mass by request.
Fr. Gabriel will hear Confessions before or after Mass by request.
Dear Beloved Family of St. Anselm,
In the Sunday Gospel, the Lord Jesus speaks of crosses and crowns. The apostles only had crowns in mind, but Jesus knew the price of the crown. It may help to review the context of this Gospel. Jesus is making His final journey to Jerusalem – to the cross and has already announced this to His disciples twice. As it is often a common situation in the Gospels, despite Jesus’ critically essential teachings to the apostles that the place of honor is not at the head or even the foot of the table; the honor is upon those who serve those at the table, this Sunday’s Gospel opens with James and John (and later all the apostles) wishing honors upon themselves. Let us look at today's Gospel in three stages.
Misplaced Priorities – James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He 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.” This is a misplaced priority. Their understanding of the place of honor is worldly. However, even in worldly thinking, places of honor must usually be earned. Thus, even from a worldly point of view, James and John are overly bold, exhibiting little understanding that prior to honors comes the labor earning those honors. They want the crown without the cross.
Major Price– The Lord Jesus replies to them, “You do not know what you are asking! Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” Too often, we want blessings, honors, or seats in high places but give little thought to the crosses necessary to get there and stay there. Those who finally attain leadership often understand what a cross it is. It can be lonely. There are many pressures and long hours of toil. Most leaders also know the sting of criticism. I surely can relate to this!
Medicinal Prescription– The text continues: They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, " . . . but to sit at my right or my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Thus, the other apostles join in the inept response by becoming indignant that James and John are trying to get special dibs on the seats of honor. Their indignity shows that they also have no idea what the Lord is saying. We think of bank accounts, prestigious addresses, the square footage of our houses, high salaries, and impressive titles—not service. Do not miss the point: there is no crown without the cross. In the Kingdom, honors and crowns are reserved for those who serve, who take up the cross of washing the feet of others, of going to the lowest of places.
Amen.
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97 Shady Lane, #1061, Ross, CA 94957
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