The Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Scripture: Mark 10:32-45
When the Israelites were wandering in the desert after the Exodus, they faced three temptations: property, power, and prestige. As we know, they utterly failed these tests.
Jesus faced the same temptations when he was in the desert for 40 days, but he was successful in rebuking Satan’s attempts to deceive him.
Today, James and John fail the same test. They believe that Jesus is headed towards Jerusalem to be enthroned as the new king, and they don’t want to be left behind.
They thirst for power and prestige, so they ask Jesus if they can sit at his right and left. In many ways, their identity is tied up in all of this. They will be somebodies if Jesus grants their request.
Unfortunately, many of us also fall for these same temptations. Who we are is based on what we own or what brands we buy. Who we are is based on how much power we have at work or in our social networks. Who we are is based on what people think of us and our good reputations around town. The world also says that we can be whomever or whatever we feel like being.
But as Christians, our identity is not tied up in these temptations. Our identity is based on communion with Jesus Christ and his Church. But not only that, but also on our relationship to the community of Christ.
We are to serve one another. We are to be a slave of all. Who we are, are people of love. Our identity is following the pattern of Christ, who gave his life for our salvation. Glory to God.