How to be or become a follower of Jesus Christ in the world and in your situation«What were you arguing about on the way?».
While Jesus is talking about His coming passion and death on the cross the disciples argue about which of them is 'the greatest'.
No, it's not a strange thing, there is no need to misjudge them for their selfishness. Are we really sure that we are not like them too?
When we try to get close to Jesus and pray to ask God for something, are we always sure we are not doing the same?
St. James the Apostle writes:
«You don't get because you don't ask; you ask and you do not get because you ask badly, that is, to satisfy your passions.»
After acts of praise and thanksgiving, in the prayers of all of us there is also usually the request for some grace. It is something that comes naturally to you even when there are no urgencies or special situations.
But it is not easy. While praying, I always ask myself this question: «Am I asking well?" Am I really sure that what I am asking is right and appropriate? Could it be for my good?»
Obviously I can be wrong and see incorrectly, I can be misguided by my selfishness, and what's more, I can't even realize that I'm wrong. Therefore I try to take precautions, and usually I start a prayer by premising these two acts:
- I entrust myself to the Holy Spirit and ask to be assisted, to be advised in choosing what I would like to ask God;
- I entrust myself to the intercession of Most Holy Mary, of Saint Joseph and of my Guardian Angel.
So I can feel reasonably confident that I am inspired to possibly beg for good things, for myself and for others.
However, I do not get tired of asking and I am not surprised if God does not immediately grant me what I'm begging. God is not like an ATM, you put on a plastic card and the graces pop out ...
God is the Creator and Master of the Universe, let us always remember this, even if He wanted to give us His adoption to children.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 9,30-37.
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise."
But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"
But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."
Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them,
Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me."
