May 26, St. Philip Neri

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. — Psalm 147:12

Mass Readings: 1 Peter 1:18-25 / Mark 10:32-45 

Paying Attention

Sometimes when I’m preoccupied a person will ask me a question. Rather than asking him or her to repeat it and admit I wasn’t paying attention, I come up with some sort of answer. Sometimes, I get lucky and the person doesn’t notice. Too often, though, the look on his or her face shows that my answer had nothing to do with the question.  

That’s how James’ and John’s request of Jesus — “Grant that in Your glory we may sit one at Your right and the other at Your left” (Mk 10:37) — always strikes me. Jesus has just predicted His passion, death, and resurrection. Obviously, they weren’t paying attention. Not that I should feel smug. I have a good idea what Jesus asks of me, but too often my reply shows that I’m not paying close enough attention.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, inspire me to respond in the way that You are guiding me