ARE YOU ABLE TO DRINK THE CUP THAT I DRINK…

Isaiah 53:10-11

10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand;
11 he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Mark 10:35-45

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.
42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

MEDITATION

ISAIAH PROPHECY the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God who will suffer pain and humiliation to redeem and reconcile man to the Father. The Messiahs suffering shall be fruitful and give satisfaction to those who righteously follow and serve Him. Moreover, He shall take their sin upon Himself.

THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS celebrate and gives honor to Christ the victorious high priest who shall walk with us when we are afflicted by burdensome pain, suffering and temptations. When we call upon the Lord, He shall bestow on us who give recognition to Him, His supernatural gift of grace and forgiveness.

THE GOSPEL READING: James and John two of Jesus’ most trusted apostles privately approach Him with a request that they be given the ultimate prize to sit on His side when He ascend to His throne! Christ recognized the apparent zealousness and innocent foolishness of these two men who did not fully comprehend the price that they  will have to pay to receive an elevated honor of grace.

Our deliverance and desire to be saved on the last day is not nesseserilly answered by your and my mere say-so! Those who say that they are “saved” with the understanding that their bed is made in heaven and that they shall escape temporal pain and suffering, are deluded. Christian discipleship does not promise a blissful life without trails and temptations. To be sure James and John lived and tasted what it meant to be committed disciples of Christ when they were slayed by a sword at the hands of those who served the evil king Agrippa.Acts 12:1-2 To walk with Christ is to drink of the Eucharistic cup of salvation and to be washed clean of our sins in confession as we endure and carry our daily cross with Christ.

LET US PRAY:Psalms 33:4-5,18-20,23

4 For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield.
22 Let thy steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in thee.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.

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