"WAG TAYONG PABIDA"

a personal reflection on the Gospel of Mark 10:35-45 for October 21, 2018

We all have a natural desire to be "Numero Uno". That's what this world encourages. Even the apostles, James & John, expressed this desire.

In Mark 10:37 they said to Jesus, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."
May good at bad point sa dialogue nila.

Here's the good point. The request showed that James & John truly believed that Jesus was the Top Guy, the Saviour, 2nd Person of the Trinity, The Word & other divine titles.

Here's the not so good point. They asked Jesus to share that distinction with them. They wanted to be credited as one of the top guys also.

Di ba ganyan din tayo? Ilang waiting shed ba ang nakita niyo na may nakasulat na

"THIS WAS DONATED BY MAYOR/CONGRESSMAN/ETC....."

Jesus warned them in Mark 10:38 - "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

Then Jesus said to them "but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." (Mark 10:40)

Simply put, Jesus was saying, "I am sorry but that position is RESERVED."

The next thing that happened was not good. Because after that conversation there was friction between James & John & the other apostles.

"And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John." - Mark 10:41

My reflection on today's Gospel is this - GULO AT AWAY ANG NAIDUDULOT KAPAG INUNA NATIN ANG ATING SARILI.

What should be our focus instead? SERVE ONE ANOTHER. Para maging Numero Uno ka sa mata ng Panginoon magsilbi ka. We should SILENTLY serve one another. No billboards, no signs, no credit grabbing.

"But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all." - Mark 10:43-44

Be like Jesus. Serve like Jesus.

"For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

If we want our lives, our country & our world to be better we need to serve one another. May you have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com