"What do you wish Me to do for you?" This question that Jesus offers in the Gospel could be answered in so many ways. How would you answer this question? Please take your time in answering this question. Sometimes we may answer like James and John who were only thinking of their glory as they wanted to be seated at His right and left. We may give an answer to help our needs. “Give me a billion dollars and all my problems will go away.” We often hear, if I could just win the lottery, life would be easy. Maybe so, but let’s really think and ponder what kind of answer we could give to Jesus.
In the month of October, we remember the attack on Israel. In a letter to bishops, Archbishop Broglio wrote: “The 7th of October will mark the first anniversary of the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed. The trauma of that day—the deadliest for the Jewish people since the Holocaust—continues for Israelis and for the Jewish community worldwide, who cry out for the return of those still held as hostages and who struggle with the dramatic rise of antisemitic incidents around the world.” In light of this, as well as the war going on in Russia and Ukraine, might our answer to Jesus’ question be: “Please end the wars going on throughout the world, Lord, and give us peace.”
Also, in this month of October, we remember Respect Life month, when we recognize that our world is in desperate need of conversion. According to the World Health Organization, “around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. Six out of 10 (61%) of all unintended pregnancies, and 3 out of 10 (29%) of all pregnancies, end in induced abortion.” This is alarming to the soul. In light of this reality, might our answer to Jesus be, “Lord, please help everyone to see as You see—the supreme dignity of every human being.”
Lord Jesus, please help us look beyond our selfishness and see the dignity of our brothers and sisters in Christ! We pray this to Jesus, but at the same time, we are not puppets. God loves us so much that He gives us freedom to love. All we need to do is turn to Jesus and give Him permission to change our hearts. St. Margaret Mary Alocoque once said, “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.” As we lose ourselves in the heart of Jesus may our hearts be changed from selfish to selfless. In doing so, when asked the question, “What do you wish Me to do for you?” may you give an answer, a prayer that may change the world!
For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!
Fr. Jeremy
