You Do Not Know What You Are Asking

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, October 20th, 2024:
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mark
10.35-45
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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." 

Jesus said 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?" 

They said to him, "We can." 

Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at 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. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.  But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

How often have I been a James or John and asked for something absolutely ridiculous from God? Way too often to keep a track of! But how merciful our Lord is who knows what we need even before we ask him. 

There was a time in my life where I was pursuing a relationship which I felt was absolutely right for me. Instead of understanding that all the hurdles and obstacles that were coming my way were God’s way of warning me of stubbornly following my own will, I took the hardships to mean a challenge and continued to be as obstinate as possible. It is only due to God’s unending mercy that things were revealed to me in the due course of time. Learning to let go of those dreams and aspirations was one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life; but I’ve definitely been blessed by a fulfillment beyond understanding after coming to accept that God wants what is best for me, and his plan for my life is the one that will give me a sense of bliss and a total contentment.

It is by virtue of our baptism, that we are called to share in God’s suffering and pain. And we are asked to imitate our humble saviour by submitting to His will which will lead us to a life of service. Our baptism grants us entry into the family of God, and with this entrance we have the privilege of being a child of God. And by virtue of this adoption we can ask our father for whatever we want. But like every good parent, God knows what to grant us.

Were James and John wrong to ask for spots at Jesus’ right and left? No! We ought to turn to God with all our requests, doubts, and questions whether they be reasonable or unreasonable. What is necessary is that we stay open to his guidance and answer through prayerful discernment  rather than sticking to our plan, and sulking when things don’t turn out the way we intend them to. So ask we must, but we must also be open to His “No.”

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the confidence to come to you with all my needs. Help me trust in your plan for my life and to have patience when things do not go my way. I love you Jesus. Teach me to trust you more and more. Amen.




Rebecca D'mello

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