The story we see in today’s Gospel reading from Mark 10 is very interesting. James and John come and say to Jesus, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” They wanted positions of prominence, over the other Apostles and everyone else. It is an easy trap into which we can all fall. Read Jesus’ response to them.
In the first reading today from 1 Peter 1, St. Peter says, “Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another intensely from a pure heart.” Love one another intensely. Can we really do that?
When I think of intense love, my wife and kids automatically come to mind. I certainly love them intensely. But St. Peter doesn’t state that we should only love a select few people that way. Our love for everyone should be intense. Seems almost impossible, doesn’t it? But I guess when you think about it, many of Christ’s teachings seem impossible. And without God’s grace, they are. But with God’s grace, even intense love for all is possible.
Father, intensify our love for one another today. As our hearts burn with love for you, may they burn with love for one another. Amen.
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