In today’s Gospel reading we hear Jesus telling his close disciples about his passion, death and resurrection. Jesus had been preparing his disciples to understand his mission and role as the Messiah, as the Christ of God. He tells them of his passion, death and resurrection after they had affirmed their faith in him as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

The Gospel reading teaches us about the true meaning of service. The mother of James and John had asked Jesus to assure places of honor for her sons in heaven. Jesus tells her and her sons that to be with Christ includes “drinking the cup he was about to drink” and that such honors are given by the heavenly Father.

He teaches them what true Christian leadership and service are: “Whoever wants to be more important in your group shall make himself your servant. And if you want to be first, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man who has come, not to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many.”