When I grow up

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072525.cfm

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

As small children, we look at things around us and think - oh yeah, I can do that. I can juggle just a little bit with three objects and sometimes I will do this to entertain grandkids or nieces and nephews (and to be honest - myself). Invariably, the little children 2,3,4-year-olds will pick up a couple of balls and just throw them up in the air like they are going to juggle just like me. As soon as they realize that it takes a lot of practice, they lose interest.

The father-child motif that runs through the Bible is so revealing to me. In today's Gospel, Jesus is the 'parent' and His children, James and John, having seen how awesome it is to be Jesus, want to do it just like Him - one on the right, one on the left. There are two important lessons here: one - heavy is the head that wears the crown of thorns. With every achievement, there is sacrifice, sacrifice of time, effort, foregoing other opportunities, dealing with failure and rejection. And the bigger the accomplishment, the bigger the sacrifices. So saving the world - BIG sacrifices required. Jesus knows the beautiful heart of His followers and knows that James and John will get there, eventually. They are not there yet.

Here is the second part: It is not our choosing that makes it happen. While we certainly do the choosing, we will only reach the glory God has in store for us if we cooperate with His plan. They don't quite understand that Jesus's Kingdom is forgiveness and sacrifice. He will come into His Kingdom on the Cross. So He tells James and John: "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 Jesus comes into His Kingdom on the Cross, He will have two thieves on His right and left. This is not the spot for James and John yet.

When I grow up, I want to be able to love like Jesus, but currently, my loving is kind of like the two-year-old throwing a couple of balls in the air and calling it juggling. I might get there, but only if I follow the Lord's path in my 'growing up'. I am a person who loves to make plans, but I have to always allow the Lord to cast those aside if there is something better He has in mind for me.