Mother's Role in initiating her Children into Service

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel :  Mt 20:17-28*

*First Reading : Jer 18:18-20*

*Mother's Role in initiating her Children into Service*

*1) The mother of the sons of Zebedee*

In today's Gospel we see a mother who comes with two of her sons to Jesus 

She comes with a specific request. A request to give her sons important places among the disciples

The Right and Left side indicates first two important places in the Kingdom of Jesus and this particular mother wanted these places to her Sons 

*2) The Concept of Jesus' Kingdom*

The understanding of the Mother of the Sons of Zebedee, about the Kingdom of Jesus is quite opposite what it exactly means 

The Kingdom of Jesus purely depends on the service, humility, love, sacrifice, generosity, forgiveness and the philosophy of the Cross 

The Mother understood, in terms of power, position, wealth, influence, authority, which are purely based on worldly philosophy

*3) Jesus' Kingdom and Service*

The eligibility to become the member of Jesus' Kingdom is service 

There is no problem in aspiring to become first in God's kingdom. But one has to follow the philosophy of this Kingdom 

The philosophy is very simple *whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.*

The concept of servent and slave should be seen in the context of *service, humility, sacrifice and simplicity*

*4) Mother is an important Person*

A Mother plays a very important role in the life of a person 

First few years of the life of a person is spent with the mother. So whatever a mother does and teaches her children will be learnt by the Children

In todays Gospel episode Jesus powerfully instructs, the mother to reach her children the conceptsof service, simplicity and humility. 

On the contrary a Mother should not initiate  her children to only the worldly values, where one sees only power, position, money, wealth, authority, influence etc 

*5) A Mother in Every responsible person*

The Mother concept in today's reading does not refer to one person or only to mothers. It refers to every one

Every responsible person has a certain amount of motherly role to play in bringing up the children

So all of us are responsible to teach our children the service aspect, the sacrifice aspect, the humility aspect and other Gospel values 

*6) Am I ready to play the Mother's Role?*

What is my role in the family? 

Am I able to motivate others in Gospel values especially the service and humility aspects? 

Am I concerned only with the Worldly things? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*