17 November 2011: Ambition of the Apostles

Soon after Jesus predicted his Passion, “... the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom’.” (Mt 20:20-21)
Such a demand, made at such a time, fully confirms the ignorance and prejudices of the Apostles. Still more astounding than their ignorance is the astonishing lengths to which their ambition carries them. Not content with our Lord’s promise they should one day sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel, they aspired to sit, one on his right hand, the other on his left.
What could lead two poor sinners to form such lofty pretensions? We may find the cause among ourselves! Ambition springs from pride which is deeply rooted in every human heart, whatever its state or condition: the source of all dissensions, disputes, and apostasies.
Our Lord’s reply to this demand was very humiliating: “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I will drink?” (cf Mk 10:38) referring to his forthcoming humiliations and sufferings. They replied, “We are able”.
Jesus continues: “You will indeed drink my cup; but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant; it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Mt 20:22-3)
The practical conclusion we should derive from these words of Jesus is: that all our requests must be made under the condition of their being for our good. For often we know not what we ask. Even things we see tending to the glory of God and the welfare of our soul or our neighbors’ would prove injurious to us.
“When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them and said, ‘You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave. Just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Mt 20:24-8)
Let us endeavor to apply these words of Jesus to ourselves, so as to derive great practical fruit from them. Examine our past conduct and resolve for the future to make it more conformable to spiritual perfection.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp720-22

Ever Rejoice
How many people have never known joy? They feed on emptiness and tread the paths of despair. “They sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” (Lk 1:79)
And we need not look to the far ends of the earth for them. They live in our neighborhoods, they walk down our streets, they may even be members of our own families. They live without true joy because they live without hope.
They live without hope because they have never really heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, because they have never met a brother or a sister who touched their lives with the love of Jesus and lifted them up from their misery.
We must go to them therefore, as messengers of hope. We must bring to them the witness of true joy. We must pledge to them our commitment to work for a just society and city where they feel respected and loved.
And so I encourage you, be men and women of deep and abiding faith. Be heralds of hope. Be messengers of joy. Be true workers for justice. Let the Good News of Christ radiate from your hearts, and the peace he alone gives remain forever in your souls. My dear brothers and sisters in the black community: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.”
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p278

Going to Jesus when we are in need
God passes beside us giving his light and joy. Jesus went about the world doing good (cf Acts 10:38), even for whoever did not seek help. Christ revealed the fullness of divine mercy to the most needy.
No form of misery separated people from him. He approached everybody who had the greatest suffering in soul or body.
At times we will experience more hardship than usual. There will be moments of greater temptation. Struggle becomes wearisome; periods of interior darkness and trial then set in.
These are instances when we must turn to Jesus, who is always by our side. Our faith must be humble and sincere like the sick and the suffering people of the Gospels. What a great comfort it is to know Christ is near us!
We must forcefully call to Jesus from the depths of our soul. Let us use the words of St Bernard: “My only merit is the mercy of the Lord. I will never lack any merit as long as he is merciful. And since the mercy of the Lord is superabundant, then superabundant are my merits.” (St Bernard, “Homily on the ‘Song of Songs’”, 61)
St Augustine teaches that we should call out to Jesus with our prayer and good works. (“Sermon 349”, 5) These works include acts of charity, professional work well done, purity of soul after a contrite confession of our sins, etc.
Our sufferings can serve as the means for an encounter with Jesus. We can follow him with more humility, with greater purity. We can draw closer to him.
“Courage! Get up; He is calling you. In those days, the Gospel tells us, the Lord was passing by; and they, the sick, called to him and sought him out. Now, too, Christ is passing by, in your Christian life. If you help him, many will come to know him, will call to him, will ask him for help; and their eyes will be opened to the marvellous light of grace.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 665)
‘Domine, ut videam’: Lord, help me to see what it is you want of me. ‘Domina, ut videam’: My Lady, help me to see what my Lord wants me to do today. Help me to answer his call with generosity.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:318-20, 323

• Institution of the confraternity of Our Lady of Sion, at Nancy, in Lorraine, in the year 1393, by Ferri of Lorraine, Count of Vaudemont. — Triple Couronne. n. 66. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Sion in 1393. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Institution of the confraternity of Our Lady of Sion (Zion); “Notre Dame de Sion”. Nancy, Lorraine, France. Queen of the Jews. Encyclopedia entry. History of this women's order, founded in the 1843 century to promote Catholic-Jewish relations. Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, in U.K and Ireland. In Canada and United States. In Australia. Seven-language website of the order. Creators of the Christian Jewish Relation and Encounter. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Sion (Queen of the Jews). Apparition.
• Our Lady of Sion (Queen of the Jews) (1393). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)