What do you wish?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 16th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Matt 20:20-28*

*First Reading : 2 Cor 4:7-15*

*What do you wish?*

*1) Important question in today's Gospel*

This question was asked by Jesus to mother of the sons of Zebedee

She went with a special request to Jesus. So Jesus asked this question

In fact Jesus also asks us this particular question, in every situation. So what is my reply 

*2) Jesus Wished the Salvation of the Mankind*

This was the primary wish of Jesus. Accordingly He worked hard to accomplish this mission 

To accomplish this mission, He preached the good news, He performed the miracles, He cured the Sick, He chased the devils and He went on doing good 

Finally He wished to shed his last drop of blood, by dying on the Cross to save the Mankind 

*3) The mother of the sons of Zebedee, wished position and authority for her children*

From today's Gospel context it is very clear that, the Mother of James and John, wished power and position in the Kingdom of God 

She wished a very high political carrier to her children. 

Accordingly she came to influence Jesus, since on their own they were unable to get those positions

*4) The Disciples wished to become great*

There are many instances where disciples were involved in the discussion of who will be the great among them 

They wished to become great among them 

This is the primary reason why the ten became angry with the two, who wished to have the primary positions in Jesus' Kingdom

*5) The Wish for Worldly things*

This is the strong desire in every one of us 

The wish for power, money, position, recognition, beauty, authority, wealth, material things, name and fame, bodily pleasures, is very much rooted in human nature 

So every one wishes to have these things  

*6) The Wish for Divine and Spiritual things*

The opposite of worldly things is the wish for spiritual things 

It is also true that the wish for spiritual things is also rooted in human nature. But one has to fight over the wish of material things to strengthen the wish for divine things 

The moment, the wish for worldly things becomes strong, the wish for divine things loses its force 

*7) Our Mission and Our Wish*

Our spirit for mission in life depends on what we desire 

If we desire worldly things, our work will be towards achieving those things 

If my wish is for divine things, then my whole focus and mission will be according to the standards of Gospel values 

*So what is my wish? Is it for worldly things or for Divine things?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*