Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

 

Today s Gospel presents the third announcement of the Passion. He knows that He is going to be killed. The Prophet Isaiah had already announced it. His death is the consequence of the commitment taken concerning the mission received from the Father. This is why Jesus speaks to the disciples about the death that He will have to face in Jerusalem. The disciple should follow the Master, even if He has to suffer like He. The disciples are frightened and accompany Him with fear. Suffering did not correspond to the idea that they had of the Messiah.

 

The disciples do not only not understand, but they continue with their own personal ambitions. When Jesus insists on service and the gift of oneself, they continue to ask for the first places. This is a sign that the ideology had profoundly penetrated the mentality of the disciples. In spite of the fact of having lived with Jesus, they had not renewed their way of seeing things. They looked at Jesus as always, with the same look. They wanted a reward for following Jesus. What he, Jesus, has to offer, is the chalice and the baptism, suffering and the cross.

 

At that time those who held power did not give an account to people. They acted as they wished Society was characterized by exercise of power. Jesus had an altogether different proposal. He said: It should not be like that among you. He is the Messiah Servant, announced by the Prophet Isaiah. He learned from His Mother who said: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord!