Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 25, 2025

Date: Friday of the 16^th Week in Ordinary Time/ Feast of St. James, the Apostle

Scripture Text:  Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." 

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from Matthew recounts Jesus’ response to the James’ and John’s mother’s request that they share in Christ’s glory in the future. Jesus, aware of the suffering he would endure and that he would die upon a cross for the sins of others, challenged the disciples as to their physical and spiritual stamina.

The other disciples took exception to the request, so Jesus used the opportunity to teach them about being a Christian leader: it’s not about power; it’s about loving service.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I have the heart of a true servant of Christ?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Your love endures forever, yet we struggle to return it as we should. Throughout the ages, humanity has chosen the path of power over the path of loving relationship. You sent your only-begotten and beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us, to model for us what a “right relationship” with You should look like. Through His teachings, His miracles, and His example, we learn that our lives are not about power but about love shown most perfectly in serving You and our sisters and brothers. Send your Spirit to stir within us the love that You shower upon us so that it might fuel our lives and guide our minds. Grant that we may pick up our own crosses in life and follow in the footsteps of your Son, Jesus Christ, “the Way and the Truth and the Life.” We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.