Mark 10:35-45 The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus.
‘Master,’ they said to him ‘we want you to do us a favour.’
He said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’
They said to him, ‘Allow us to sit one at your right hand
and the other at your left in your glory.’
‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them.
‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink,
or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?’
They replied, ‘We can.’
Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I must drink you shall drink,
and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised,
but as for seats at my right hand or my left,
these are not mine to grant;
they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.’
When the other ten heard this
they began to feel indignant with James and John,
so Jesus called them to him and said to them,
‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them,
and their great men make their authority felt.
This is not to happen among you.
No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all.
For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd. All rights reserved.
Having read the gospel, you might want simply to reflect yourself on what you have read and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us. cluster.alpha@outlook.com
Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)
Jesus says, "This is not to happen among you."
In God's world, the master washes the feet of his followers
in the manner of a servant, dying that they might have eternal life.
The hierarchical structure of the church sits uncomfortably with this.
With open minds and hearts, let's approach the forthcoming synod
and listen carefully to the Spirit speaking in each one of us.
- Have you ever envied the ministry skills of someone else in your faith community? Make time this week to thank God for the way s/he has helped us all, and plan how you can better assist your community with your strengths.
- Why is it hard to do good works if you will not be acknowledged for them?
Prayers of Intercession
The gospel compels us to be at the service of others; not to dominate or control but to truly be alongside one another, and so we pray: -
For Pope Francis that his call to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God will be heeded by us all. In particular by the leaders of the Nations as they prepare to gather in Glasgow, that they unit in action for the care of our planet and of all creation at this crucial moment in the earth’s history.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
For each of us, that we too take responsibility for the care of the earth and each other in the small ways that are available to us. That we try to live simply so that others might simply live.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
For all those that are in positions of leadership in our Church, both lay and clerical, that we may all realise that we are called to serve God and our brothers and sisters, wherever we may be and in the wider community.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
For our young people, as they continue with their studies or begin new phases in their life, that we continue to support them and pray for them in all they do.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
For all who suffer in mind-body or spirit, may they be comforted and strengthened by God’s loving embrace as they journey through difficult times. We remember especially members of our Clusters parishes and our own families.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
For those who have died and gone before us – we give thanks for their lives and all that they meant to us. May we not forget them as they now enjoy their eternal home.
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
