Reading 1
Is 53:10-11
The LORD was pleasedto crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,he shall see his descendants in a long life,and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his afflictionhe shall see the light in fullnessof days;through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,and their guilt he shall bear.
Reading II
Heb 4:14-16
Brothers and sisters:Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,let us hold fast to our confession.For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,but one who has similarly been tested in every way,yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of graceto receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Gospel
Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glorywe may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drinkor be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." 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;but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to givebut is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them,"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentileslord it over them,and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you.Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be servedbut to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
or
Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentileslord it over them,and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be servedbut to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Meditation: Hebrews 4:14-16
Let us confidently approach the throne of grace. (Hebrews 4:16)
“Can you come to my birthday party?” “I have two tickets to the game; can you make it?” “We’re going on a boat trip next week. Do you want to join us?” We all love to receive invitations, and here is one that is hard to refuse: “Can you come to the throne of grace?”
Every day, God invites us to come and receive gifts from him. Today’s reading from Hebrews mentions specifically the gifts of mercy and help in time of need, but God’s invitation includes a much wider array of gifts than the ones we seek at crisis points. Every day, he wants to give us gifts like peace, encouragement, hope, joy, grace to forgive, and insights into his path for our lives. There is no end to the gifts God wants to give us!
If God is so generous, and if his invitation is so warm and open, why do we hesitate? Could it be fear? In the ancient Near East, it was often considered dangerous to approach the throne of a king. The Book of Esther reflects a Persian tradition that daring even to come into the king’s presence could lead to death (Esther 4:11). Certainly God is more awe inspiring and fearsome than an earthly emperor! It’s instructive that the warning didn’t stop Esther: She took the risk in order to intercede for her people. And the king heard her, granted her request, and even raised her above all other people.
This is how it will be for us when we accept God’s invitation and place ourselves in his presence. He will put his arms around us, draw us to himself, and ask us what we need. Then, with a knowing smile on his face, he will open his box of treasures and give us exactly the right gifts—even gifts we didn’t think we needed.
So what are you waiting for? On this day of sabbath blessing, don’t be afraid to approach Almighty God. He is your Father!
“Lord, I come to your throne with confidence, knowing that I can ask you for gifts of grace to help me today.”
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