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Article_What do you want? Jesus asks of us

Homilies | Monday, July 25, 2016

What do you want? Jesus asks of us

Homily by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at Mass with Miami pilgrims at St. Ann Church in Krakow, Poland

Homily by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at Mass with Miami pilgrims for World Youth Day St. Anne's Church in Krakow, Poland. Monday, July 25, 2016.

We're here at this beautiful Church of St. Anne - St. Anne, of course, was the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. She must have been a very special person, but her feast day is tomorrow. Today we celebrate St. James, one of the 12 apostles. He is in a way a special companion to all pilgrims - over the centuries thousands have traveled to his place of burial in Compostela, Spain, many after having walked many days and many miles. We're not doing the Camino, but these days will have us walking quite a bit, and so, St. James pray for us on our "Camino" here in Krakow.

Jesus had called James and his brother John the sons of thunder. Most scripture scholars say it was because of their strong personalities. But, perhaps, today's gospel introduces us to "thunder" in the person of their mother who asks a special favor of Jesus. James and John might not have been as strong personalities as you might think if they had to use their mother to press their cause.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski preaches the homily during Mass for Miami pilgrims at St. Anne Church in Old Town Krakow.

Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC

Archbishop Thomas Wenski preaches the homily during Mass for Miami pilgrims at St. Anne Church in Old Town Krakow.

"What do you want?" Jesus asks her. And, if we are making this pilgrimage, we too are carrying in our hearts favors that we might want to ask of Jesus. "What do you want?" Is the question that Jesus asks each one of us. Now, I am sure you all have heard of the saying, "Be careful of what you ask for....because you might get it."

James and John wanted to be big shots, they wanted to be important. And maybe there's nothing wrong with that. Actually it's quite human to want to be recognized by others; And, most of us would rather be in a position to do what we want than do what we are told.

But, while James and John thought it would be good for them to be important, Jesus thought it was more important for them to be good. The same goes for us: while is good to be important; it is more important to be good. As Blessed Mother Teresa used to say: God doesn't ask us to be successful, he asks us to be faithful.

Jesus came into the world to turn it upside down - or maybe more correctly right side up. Jesus doesn't go along with the world's way of understanding of power, authority, and status. For Jesus what counts is not the love of power but the power of love. He will give his apostles authority but they are not to be authoritarian. They are to serve and not seek to be served. Like I said, Jesus to put the world right side up has to turn it upside down.

To walk with Jesus is to accept a new way of living in the world - the way of love, of sacrifice, of humble service. Jesus promises us glory - but not as the world understands glory. For Jesus teaches us that the road to glory passes by the way of the Cross. Happiness is not found through self seeking or self-assertion but through self-giving and self-sacrifice. This is what Jesus means when he speaks about drinking of cup of which he will drink.

This is mystery we celebrate. For sacrifice accepted in love and for love is not an oppressive burden but a joy.

James, of course, learned this lesson - probably after a few false starts. It's not easy to walk in a world turned right side up when you're used to living in an upside down world. It takes practice and perseverance. I think that's why we are called "practicing" Catholics. We have to practice a whole lot before we learn to get it right. St. James did get right - he died a Martyr for Christ. We might not have to die for Christ like Maximilian Kolbe and Edith Stein did in Auschwitz. But we have to live for Christ by remembering that it is important for us to be good, and to do good.

So today Jesus asks us the same question he put to James and John and his mother: "What do you want? Let's ask to drink of the cup of which he drinks. Let's ask for glory - not the world's glory but God's glory; let's ask for happiness - not for happiness of passing pleasures but for the happiness of lasting joy.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrates Mass for Miami pilgrims at St. Anne Church in Old Town Krakow, accompanied by the priests who are serving as spiritual chaplains during the trip.

Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC

Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrates Mass for Miami pilgrims at St. Anne Church in Old Town Krakow, accompanied by the priests who are serving as spiritual chaplains during the trip.






Comments from readers

Joanne Apruzzese - 07/26/2016 06:14 PM
Thank you for your articles on your pilgrimage to Poland for the WYD. It is wonderful to see highlights of the journey. May your travels be blessed with love hope and promise. Prayers to all

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