Friday, April 07, 2006
From AscensionNYC
Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Psalm 141, 143:1-12
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Mark 10:32-45
Whenever I hear or read today's passage from Mark where James and John ask to sit with Christ in his glory, my immediate reaction is amazement. I'm amazed at their fearlessness and confidence in requesting so lofty and, seemingly, unattainable an ambition. It almost takes my breath away that they so firmly believe they have what it takes to hold positions of special dignity along side the Son of God that they would ask Christ to grant them this wish. If I had a time machine and could transport myself to that very time and spot, I'd be the quiet one thinking that I'm but a mere mortal and, therefore, too weak and flawed to even entertain such a goal but I would be wrong.
Fear that comes from the lack of self confidence and/or self love is a destructive emotion. It can rob us of joy, of abundance in our lives, of connecting to our talents and intellect; none of which is God's plan for us. How many of us have succumbed from time to time to our fears of not having the right stuff; not having enough education, talent, social standing, money, looks, experience, etc., thus, detouring us from asking for what we want, taking that chance, "following our bliss." James and John certainly didn't suffer from this affliction and if any doubts existed they weren't apparent. These men were bold enough to ask for what they wanted and while Christ's response wasn't exactly what they were hoping to hear, from that day forward they steered the course of their lives in the direction of their choosing, the course God intended.
Carpe diem (seize the day), how I love that saying, it's filled with so much energy, possibility and inspiration. As I look at it, I realize it doesn't say seize the week or the year or the next five years but the day, one day, a day at a time. If I think about overcoming my fears and self doubt a minute at a time, an hour at a time, a day at a time it seems so much more manageable, and how wonderful to have more power over the direction my life's journey is taking and knowing that in small steps I'm moving closer to being the person God has always intended me to be. Margaret Sanger said it very well I think: "Some lives drift here and there like the reeds in a stream, depending on changing currents for their activity. Others are like swimmers knowing the depth of the water. Each stroke helps them onward to a definite objective."
I know nothing about how James and John were martyred, some prolonged, excruciatingly painful form of execution no doubt but while they lived, they LIVED. They were ready to drink from the same cup as Christ and live in God's ways because they were confident they could and brave enough to accept the consequences. I'm sure they accepted death as all the martyrs did content and at peace, not only, because they would be joined with Christ in his glory, but also, because they'd lived the good life on their terms with no regrets.
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Mark 10:32-45
Whenever I hear or read today's passage from Mark where James and John ask to sit with Christ in his glory, my immediate reaction is amazement. I'm amazed at their fearlessness and confidence in requesting so lofty and, seemingly, unattainable an ambition. It almost takes my breath away that they so firmly believe they have what it takes to hold positions of special dignity along side the Son of God that they would ask Christ to grant them this wish. If I had a time machine and could transport myself to that very time and spot, I'd be the quiet one thinking that I'm but a mere mortal and, therefore, too weak and flawed to even entertain such a goal but I would be wrong.
Fear that comes from the lack of self confidence and/or self love is a destructive emotion. It can rob us of joy, of abundance in our lives, of connecting to our talents and intellect; none of which is God's plan for us. How many of us have succumbed from time to time to our fears of not having the right stuff; not having enough education, talent, social standing, money, looks, experience, etc., thus, detouring us from asking for what we want, taking that chance, "following our bliss." James and John certainly didn't suffer from this affliction and if any doubts existed they weren't apparent. These men were bold enough to ask for what they wanted and while Christ's response wasn't exactly what they were hoping to hear, from that day forward they steered the course of their lives in the direction of their choosing, the course God intended.
Carpe diem (seize the day), how I love that saying, it's filled with so much energy, possibility and inspiration. As I look at it, I realize it doesn't say seize the week or the year or the next five years but the day, one day, a day at a time. If I think about overcoming my fears and self doubt a minute at a time, an hour at a time, a day at a time it seems so much more manageable, and how wonderful to have more power over the direction my life's journey is taking and knowing that in small steps I'm moving closer to being the person God has always intended me to be. Margaret Sanger said it very well I think: "Some lives drift here and there like the reeds in a stream, depending on changing currents for their activity. Others are like swimmers knowing the depth of the water. Each stroke helps them onward to a definite objective."
I know nothing about how James and John were martyred, some prolonged, excruciatingly painful form of execution no doubt but while they lived, they LIVED. They were ready to drink from the same cup as Christ and live in God's ways because they were confident they could and brave enough to accept the consequences. I'm sure they accepted death as all the martyrs did content and at peace, not only, because they would be joined with Christ in his glory, but also, because they'd lived the good life on their terms with no regrets.
Candace Lombardi
