This week’s gospel starts with disciples seeking an answer from Jesus. James & John are obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus and are asking to sit beside him in the seats of glory, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service. As we do so, we are reminded that though Jesus is indeed the answer, he is not an easy answer.
Image: Baptism from Aquarelle by Heidrun Füssenhäuser. Image by RODRUN/Knöll/Mauritius. Copyright © 2022 SuperStock. Used by permission.