Beyond Myself And Into Mission

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Reading: Mark 10:33-45

Reflection: Jesus has just informed the disciples about what will soon take place in Jerusalem. The chosen Messiah will be rejected by Israel's leaders, handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, spit upon, beaten and killed. Then, three days later, He will rise again. Immediately after this report, we see James and John seeking to make a power grab as the rest of the disciples find out about their private jockeying for position and become angry over it all. One could hardly blame Jesus for being frustrated. Do these guys even hear what He is saying? Don't they realize the difficulties and trials coming Jesus' way? Are they so self-focused and power hungry that they can't even take time to comfort their master? Apparently not. And I could get frustrated with the disciples as well, if I were not so often just like them. Jesus is in the process of saving the world one person at a time. He is seeking to rescue the marginalized, broken and helpless. However, so often I am so focused on my needs and issues that I can't get beyond myself to join Jesus in His mission with His heart. He's trying to save the world, and I'm trying to save myself from inconvenience and discomfort. What am I doing? What are we doing? Maybe we need to read this little pericope (text) again and again as a reminder to get beyond ourselves and into the mission of Jesus.