Ransom

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Ransom

Self     Offering

Delivering     Loving     Rescuing

The Plan of Salvation

Redemption

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 10: 42 to 45

Jesus brought the apostles together and said, "You know that those who are known as the rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions make their power over them clear. 

But this will not be the way with you.

Rather whoever wishes to be great among you will serve the others.

Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the helper of all.

For the Son of Man did not come into this world to be waited upon but to serve all and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Reflection

In our passage from Mark we see Jesus bringing the apostles together for a little "chat" after James and John approached Him seeking special places in Heaven----one wanted to be on the right of Jesus and the other on the left. They wanted the best spots!

Jesus senses what is going on here and notices the jealousy among the apostles after this occurs and the resultant anger that could easily destroy the bond that he is trying to create among His apostles.

What is His solution?

He tells them what it really means to be His follower. 

It is not about your position.

It is not about power.

It is not about your title.

It is not about lording it over anyone.

It is about serving others: "to give and not to count the cost" as we pray in the Prayer of St. Francis.

It is about becoming a "ransom". We think of ransom as paying a price so that someone we love will be released from captivity.

Jesus was our ransom. He gave His life for us. He held nothing back.

He was completely innocent but yet He was falsely accused of trying to incite a rebellion and threaten the power of the Romans.

His only "rebellion" was a rebellion of love, a rebellion of service to others.

When we follow Jesus, we are also called to be a ransom for others---to give our lives in loving service, even when that might be misunderstood, belittled, or mocked.

I heard a homily recently that was an eye opener for me. The presider was talking about the Problem of Suffering and said the answer to this age old mystery is simply "you and me".

We are called to alleviate suffering, to heal those whose hearts are broken, to bring justice to our divided world.

It is a challenging call and one that can seem overwhelming but it is a call that we do not share alone. 

We have been ransomed.

We are called to follow Jesus and to ransom others whom we encounter on our daily journey.

Kathy's photo shows how this plan of salvation is reflected all around us if we open our eyes to the Good News of Jesus!

1. How do you feel called to serving others?

2. How do you see Jesus as "ransoming" you?