The Place Nearest to Jesus

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked us up as usual and right on time for Holy Mass. Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and I were all ready when he came. The morning was quiet and fresh, and Mini acted as if she had important church business of her own.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about Jesus walking ahead of His disciples on the road to Jerusalem. Father said Jesus knew what was waiting for Him there. He knew He would suffer, be mocked, and die, but He kept going because He loved us so much.

Father said James and John wanted places close to Jesus in glory, but they did not understand yet that being close to Jesus also means staying close to Him when things are hard. That made me think. Sometimes I want to be near Jesus, but I do not always like the little crosses He sends.

Then Father LeRoy said something I liked very much. He said Jesus teaches us that the greatest person is not the one who gets the best place, but the one who serves. In Jesus’ kingdom, love is humble. It helps quietly. It does not need to be praised.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that little acts of service count very much with God. Carrying something for someone, being patient, helping without complaining, or giving up our own way can all be little gifts to Jesus.

This afternoon I tried to remember that while doing my chores. I thought maybe being near Jesus can happen right in ordinary places — by the chicken coop, in the kitchen, in the truck, or even beside Mini when she wants attention.

Tonight I keep thinking of Jesus walking ahead. He was not leaving His disciples behind. He was leading them. I want to follow Him too, even when the road is not the easy one.
Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,
please help me to follow You
with a humble and loving heart.

Teach me not to seek the first place,
but the place closest to You.

Help me to serve quietly,
to be patient with little crosses,
and to love without needing praise.

Please bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini,
and all of us at Camp Littlemore tonight.

Keep us near Your Sacred Heart
and lead us safely on Your road.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

_________________________

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Mark 10:32-45

At that time, they were in the way going up to Jerusalem: and Jesus went before them, and they were astonished: and following were afraid. And taking again the twelve, he began to tell them the things that should befall him.

Saying: Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the scribes, and ancients, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles.

And they shall mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And James and John the sons of Zebedee come to him, saying: Master, we desire that whatsoever we shall ask, thou wouldst do it for us.

But he said to them: What would you that I should do for you?

And they said: Grant to us, that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

And Jesus said to them: You know not what you ask. Can you drink of the chalice that I drink of; or be baptized with the baptism wherewith I am baptized?

But they said to him: We can. And Jesus saith to them: You shall indeed drink of the chalice that I drink of; and with the baptism wherewith I am baptized you shall be baptized.

But to sit on my right hand, or on my left, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared.

And the ten hearing it, began to be much displeased at James and John.

But Jesus calling them, saith to them: You know that they who seem to rule over the Gentiles, lord it over them: and their princes have power over them.

But it is not so among you: but whosoever will be greater, shall be your minister.

And whosoever will be first among you, shall be the servant of all.

For the Son of man also is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.