It is for those for whom it has been prepared

Last evening, at our prayer meeting, a member shared on this line from this week’s Gospel Mark 10: 35-45 ‘but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared’. He thanked St Mark, with whom he has been having a running battle over some of his narratives, for being so forthright. He went on to say, that he always suspected that there is a limit for him and he must not over reach his position.

I admired his humility. It is not often we encounter this sentiment. He is in good company. St Therese of Lisieux (of the Infant Jesus) often expressed this sentiment. She likened herself to be ‘the little one’, a mere toy or broom for Jesus, who sat there quietly in the corner, waiting for whenever Jesus needed to use her for His work or play.

This goes against what the modern world tries to make us believe. The world says ‘you can achieve anything you want to, you only have to work smart and hard. The world is in your grasp. Wealth and power is yours for the taking.’ It reminds me of satan’s temptation of Jesus to get worldly wealth and power, if only he would bow down and worship him. Jesus replied, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.' (Matthew 4:10)

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that there are things beyond our control, roles that are not ours to claim, and places prepared for us by God. It’s a profound call to humility, to accept that we are not the center of our own destiny, but rather instruments of God's will. This perspective is deeply countercultural, yet freeing. It allows us to focus not on what we can grasp for ourselves, but on how we can serve where we are called, trusting that God has a unique plan for each of us.

We each have a vocation, a unique calling that shapes our role in the tapestry of life. Like threads in a larger design, our individual purpose weaves into the greater story of humanity, contributing to something far more profound than we can fully comprehend. Our vocation is not simply a career or a set of personal goals; it is the unfolding of who we are meant to be in God’s plan.

Whether we are called to lead, teach, serve, or nurture, each role is distinct and essential. Embracing our vocation means acknowledging that we are part of something greater, and through fulfilling it, we participate in the divine design, helping to bring God’s love and purpose into the world.

Our challenge, then, is to approach life with a discerning spirit, constantly seeking out our unique calling and listening for God’s whisper in the quiet corners of our hearts. It is in this stillness that we find the treasure—the vocation that brings us closer to God’s purpose for our lives.

Like the man in the parable who discovers a treasure hidden in a field, we are called to respond with total commitment. Once we recognize our true calling, we must be willing to let go of all that holds us back and, in faith, give ourselves fully to it. This is the field worth buying, the life worth living, where we find the joy of becoming who we are truly meant to be in Christ.

Friend, thank you for journeying with me on this pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Heaven. If you can afford to, I ask that you consider making a donation to the continuation of my online ministry of the Word, by becoming a paid subscriber.