FIRST READING
“When he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days,.”.
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 53: 10-11)
It was the will of the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief, when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 33:4-5.18-19.20 and 22 (R. 22)
R/. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord
For the word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right,
and his merciful love fills the earth. R.
Yes, the Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him,
who hope in his merciful love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine. R.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
May your merciful love be upon us,
as we hope in you, O Lord. R.
SECOND READING
“Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Brethren: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Mark 10:45
Alleluia. The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“The Son of man came to give his life as a ransom for many.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 10:35-45)
At that time: James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptised, you will be baptised; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Or shorter:
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 10:42-45)
At that time: Jesus called [the Twelve] to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Everyone likes to be in a place of honour. It is not sinful to desire an honourable position. But it is important to know what it means to be in such position. People see position of honor as opportunities to serve themselves and trample on other persons. This is because they seek their own gain and not the good of the people. Jesus uses the ambition of James and John to remind us that whatever position we occupy if for service. The Son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. Do I want to serve or do I want to be served? Do I want to cultivate the spirit of Christ or do I want to lord it over others?