The other afternoon I was closing-up the ministry when three first year college students came by to visit. They were curious about the building that was set apart from the rest of the campus. I asked if the wanted a quick tour of the Museum of Family Prayer.
As I paused to read about prayer and its many applications, reference was made to Lection Divina as a way to pray. My understanding of this is that you take the Scripture reading and imagine the scene, the reaction of people to what was happening and what was being said.
The gospel passage from Matthew today lent itself to Lectio Divina. I could picture Jesus walking with His disciples. On several occasions Jesus had reminded them that His fate was sealed. He was not long for this world. Like Jeremiah today, people had been contriving a plot to kill Jesus. Like Jeremiah who stood before God to speak on behalf of his betrayers, shielding them from the wrath of God, Jesus did the same.
The trip to Jerusalem would be His last one. There He would be tried and sentenced to death. He reminded his disciples once again what was about to happen. We know from another occasion that Peter had difficulty dealing with this truth. We recall his reactions and Jesus words to him to “get behind me Satan.”
What the others may have said or how they reacted at that moment, we do not know, we could only surmise. We know what John and James’ mother did. She approached Jesus to ask Him for something. Jesus knew what she was about to ask but still He asked her, “What do you want me to do for you?” You heard what she asked, she wanted her sons to be close by Jesus, one on His right and the other on His left. Jesus asked the sons if they could drink the cup. Both resolutely replied, we can. They did. James was stoned to death in 62 A.D. John, after a long life of service to the Lord, would die of old age in Ephesus.
What do you want me to do for you? We heard that question before when Jesus asked this of the two blind men, men who called out to Him. They wanted to see. Throughout the ages, the Lord continues to ask, “What do you want me to do for you?” A novelist wrote, “Try to love the question now. Love the question now.”
Throughout the remainder of Lent, consider Jesus asking you each day, “What do you want me to do for you?” This simple reflection has deep potential. Allow it to sink in. Then when Easter arrives, you will be prepared, and ready to answer the Lord who awaits your reply.
