May 07, 2014
The Request of James and John
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Matthew 20, 20 – 28:
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I have a friend of mine who is sick at this time. He entered hospital today and they found out that he has kidney stones and gall stones. Please pray that the operation he will have will be successful and that he will not have any more pain.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I call you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters to be servants like I was a servant to everybody when I was on earth. However, that are always some you wish to be first, to sit in the best places, or to receive more money than all the others. This shows that some can be full of pride and they want to show off. This was the case with the two brothers that approached Me with their mother. They had told their mother to intercede for them so that one could sit at My right and the other sit at My left. But I told them that it was not for Me to give them these places but it was My Father who would choose who would sit at those places. I had the chance then to teach them about becoming servants. I came on earth not to have people come and serve Me but I came to serve all the people and to help them. So all those who follow Me must do the same. Do you worry about your place in heaven but be ready every day to help all those in need. In this way you will be blessed by My Father and you will be My dear friend. I love you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. May the Lord bless you all and may He fill you with His love, peace and joy.