wish list (part 1)
“What do you want Me to do for you?” —Mark 10:36, RSV-CE
Sts. James and John said to Jesus: “We want You to grant our request” (Mk 10:35). Jesus responded: “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mk 10:36, RSV-CE) When they requested positions of honor for themselves, Jesus turned their request upside-down. He taught the apostles that they must serve rather than be served (Mk 10:44).
In tomorrow’s Gospel, Jesus will again ask someone, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mk 10:51) Let’s reflect today on how we would respond to Jesus if He asked us that question.
King Solomon was asked by God what he wished for. Solomon selflessly asked for wisdom, so he could govern wisely (1 Kgs 3:5ff). St. Thomas Aquinas, in a private revelation near the end of his life, was asked by God what he wanted as a reward for all his labors for the Kingdom. Thomas answered: “None but Thyself, O Lord.”
Jesus taught His followers a different way to ask in the Our Father: “Your kingdom come; Your will be done” (Mt 6:9). Instead of asking the Lord to do whatever we ask of Him, let’s ask Him to grant us the grace to do whatever He asks of us.
Prayer: Father, I want what You want. Do in me whatever You must in order to do through me whatever You will.
Promise: “Your rebirth has come, not from a destructible but from an indestructible seed, through the living and enduring word of God.” —1 Pt 1:23
Praise: St. Augustine of Canterbury began the evangelization of England in the late sixth century. He persevered in his mission despite slow progress and opposition.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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