Can you do this for me?

The First Letter of Peter is the source of the first reading in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. It tells us that Jesus is our ransom from the futile way of life which holds us at less dignity than we are intended to experience. Our call is to live in relationship with the Divine which will focus us on the faith and hope that enables mutual love for others. Jesus "stands-in" for us and is the power where by we can serve others by standing-in to shoulder responsibility, take the blame, encourage the down trodden, and live generously toward those in our circles. This example of service as leadership is response of Jesus to the bold request of James and John to be given power and authority when Jesus comes to His Kingdom in Jerusalem. Friar Jude Winkler points out that this is the third time that Jesus predicts His passion in the Gospel of Mark and the disciples seem to "not get it". The thought that the Messiah of Israel would not be a David-like king but would stand-in and for tax collectors, prostitutes, hypocrites and everyone else as example of the mercy and compassion of God is the service which is difficult to accept. It is the experience through which we are called to live the dignity of being ransomed by Jesus.