There are a number of people who want to be the first in everything. Being the best we can be is always good but when this becomes a competition, a means of showing that one is better than others, it does become questionable. We try to do our best and become the best we can be only because we want to be thankful to God our Father who has gifted us. What we are is a gift from God our Father and what we make of ourselves is a gift to our Father in heaven. We strive for the best for Him and for the well being of others. There is no place for selfishness in this striving. There is no place for pride in this pursuit.
Whatever the reason(s) that the brothers made their request is not known. We can only infer from the text. That would be for another article. However one cannot overlook the boldness that they had in making the request, “We want you to do us a favour.”
The favour requested was based on a self-centered ambition and it comes on the heels of Jesus telling them for the third time that he was going to suffer grievously at the hands of the pagans. Their focus was obviously on after Jesus is no longer with them. Does this apply to our lives today? To some, Jesus is gone. He is no longer around and so it is ‘me’ time and ‘me’ focus. The gifts that we have are then used for an end to which they were not intended for. The gifts were given for us to grow in holiness, given for the good of the community. The gifts that we have are never meant for our own glory.
Love and Adventure,
Fr. Terence Pereira
Questions for Reflection
What are the gifts that I have? Am I aware of them?
Do I use the gifts that I have for the glory of God our Father?
Is the use of my gifts leading me to holiness?