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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Whoever wishes to be great

Whoever wishes to be great

Published Jul 25, 2025 12:05 am  |  Updated Jul 24, 2025 05:53 pm
REFLECTIONS TODAY
In Mark (15:40), Salome is named as one of the women present at the crucifixion who also ministered to Jesus. The parallel passage in Matthew (27:56) reads, “Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.”
Many Bible scholars comment that the mother of James and John was related to the family of Mary; thus, she enjoyed a special connection to Jesus. But Jesus cuts her remark of “command” and chides the two brothers for using family links to obtain privileges. Access to God’s Kingdom is not acquired by nepotism, not by birthright as many Israelites claim to have as the chosen people.
In the Father’s Kingdom, everyone is equal. Jesus warns the rest of the Twelve who are indignant at the two brothers and who may wish to jockey for position. Participation in God’s reign is doing service in the manner of Jesus, who is willing to serve and die for his sheep. True authority is not “lording over” the subjects. Rather, power is vested on those willing to serve as servants rather than to be served as masters. Such is the case of James, the first Apostle to drink the chalice of suffering.
Gospel • Matthew 20:20-28
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the 10 heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
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