On this feast of St. James the Office of Readings has us read from a homily by St. John Chrysostom. St. John takes apart today's reading from St. Mark. James and John are looking for some sort of reward or recognition for their work as followers of Jesus. The response of Jesus is to respond that the only "rewards" program that he offers is the cross. But by accepting the cross, and living daily with the reality of the cross, men and women will experience eternal life.
The disciples will eventually begin to realize this. Even St. Paul speaks about the imperishable crown that he works for, which exists in the Kingdom of Heaven. True disciples accept that the goal of their work is not the honors and rewards that are bestowed on us here in this sphere, but the unfolding of the divine values and purpose which, though sometimes unobservable, give meaning and purpose to the human person. Consider the times when we have gone out of our way, or acted selflessly, knowing that we would not be thanked, but understanding that we had enabled another to experience some good thing. Husbands, wives, and parents do this all of the time.
The discipleship that Mark speaks about so often is that we do a good thing because it is a good thing to do. I remember at one parish where someone had donated some statuary to the parish. From that point on he would complain to the Pastor as to how "his" statues were being cared for or displayed. We are challenged to give ourselves freely for the welfare and benefit of the Kingdom of God. We are not called to be doormats or dishrags, but instruments of the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. If we profess we believe in this faith, what does that look like on the outside.
The cross is not made to make us look glum, but to draw us into a deeper level of love and compassion without counting the cost. We have to be willing and able to be Christ for each other.
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