And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise.”

And James and John, the sons of Zeb′edee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And 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 hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:32-45

Can you drink from the same cup as Jesus? Are you ready to serve, not be served? Can you share in Christ’s death on the cross as a ransom for many? Jesus called the 12 disciples to service and salvation through suffering. Jesus is calling you in the same way, to be a servant to your spouse and family, laying down your life for the good of their souls.

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Confessing to a priest is a way of putting my life into the hands and heart of someone else, someone who in that moment acts in the name of Jesus… Pope Francis – 16 Jan 2016

For five weeks we have been reflecting on the passion and death of Jesus Christ. He suffered immensely for the forgiveness of our sins. He did it out of pure love for you and me. It is our prayer that this journey has helped you come to an understanding of the enormous price Christ paid for the forgiveness of your sins.

During this next week leading to Holy Week, which Pope Francis has called a “week of Mercy,” we suggest preparing for confession by examining the sins of your entire life. If you are like us, there are pages and pages of sins. The goal of this is NOT to have you feel bad about yourself. Rather it is to understand the great mercy of God. In spite of our great sinfulness, He loves us and wants us to dwell with Him for all eternity.

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