Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
What’s in a question? There are so many different types of questions. There are open ended, closed, rhetorical, inductive, deductive to name a few. Questions can be helpful in gaining information like when children often ask the “Why?” But questions can also be used as tools to inflict pain like “like why did you do that?”; or “is that really necessary?” In these last cases, the questions maybe to gather information however they could also question authority. These can be what we call “loaded “questions.
Today’s readings are filled with questions, some not even worded as such others are clearly beyond loaded.
Indeed the whole first reading is a prayerful question, although it is written more as a command than a question. In my mind, I reinterpreted the verses as questions like, “Lord if it be your will would you please come to our aid?” Although “hear the prayer of your servants,” (Sir. 36:16a) it is not quite a question, it was a polite prayer request rooted in faith and trust. Yet, this prayer left room for the Lord to answer in the Lord’s own way. It is from this same faith and trust that we often pray, yet do we always realize what we are asking?
Jesus’ words in the gospel are a challenge for us to consider: “You do not know what you are asking.” (Mk 10: 38a) Granted our prayers are not often asking to sit at Lord’s right hand. In Jesus answer to the Apostles’ request, he reminds us all of what is expected. Like the apostles, we are called to drink from the same chalice as Jesus. We are also called to be suffering servants who die to self and rise to new life in Christ.
As faithful disciples, it is imperative that we take up our cross. Bearing our cross means knowing that our suffering is part of the journey, but not the end. With the cross comes the promise also will encounter death and resurrection. It is this same Pascal mystery we were immersed into at baptism. We also realize this mystery as we drink from the chalice of Christ at Eucharist. Fully living these mysteries transform us into disciples who think with the thoughts of God.
"Lord, help our mind be united with yours this day so that we may live your and model Christ to all we meet. Amen."
-Michael Montgomery