Weekly thoughts on the Sunday Gospel, readings or a topic...

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seeing your life through the lens of the gospels – Mark 10:35-45
1. Jesus had spent much time teaching his followers that discipleship was a life of service, a life of giving oneself for others. In spite of that, James and John were thinking of what they could get out of it. For Jesus, for the apostles, and for each one of us, the glory of God is revealed when we allow God to work through us as we give ourselves for others. When have you found that you reach a fuller life, and others benefit, when you act in this spirit of service?
2. One of the great problems in a community, a parish, or an organisation, is when you have some people jockeying for status and positions of power. The good of the group and the people it serves take second place to personal prestige. You have probably seen this happen. Perhaps you have also witnessed people with a spirit of service that allowed them to value the good of the group over personal rewards. Recall them and give thanks for their witness.
3. Jesus himself is the great model of this spirit of service. Think of the aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry that have inspired you to imitate his giving of his life for others.  – John Byrne, OSA

The Deep End
Today we celebrate World Mission Sunday, a time to highlight the importance of sharing the Good News. In Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis speaks of the joy of being a missionary. He says that all Christians, by virtue of their baptism, are missionary disciples: ‘All the baptised, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelisation... Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelisation; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus. So what are we waiting for?’
The disciples in today’s Gospel certainly have missionary zeal, but they have got the focus wrong – they are thinking of themselves and their status, rather than the task they have been given. But Jesus teaches them a lesson in discipleship – their task is to serve. Something to think about as we reflect on our mission today.  – Tríona Doherty

(from Intercom)