29 August 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: മലയാളം
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
In the evening Gospel the mother of James and John kneels before Jesus: “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Every mother wants the best for her children. Jesus gently redirects her love: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” The best a mother can want for her children is not a high seat but a share in Christ's cup of self-giving love.
In Mark's Gospel the brothers ask the same thing themselves. The other ten are angry. Jesus calls them all: “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognise as their rulers lord it over them… But it is not so among you; whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant… For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The cup Jesus speaks of is his Passion; the ransom is his life given for us.
St Paul sings the same mystery: though he was in the form of God, Christ did not cling to equality with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave; he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross; therefore God highly exalted him (Philippians 2:6–9). Mothers know this self-emptying love: nights awake, meals given up, sorrows carried in silence. It is a share in the cup of Christ.
Ezekiel sees water flowing from the side of the temple, getting deeper and deeper, bringing life wherever it goes: “every living creature that swarms will live… on the banks… there will grow all kinds of trees for food… their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” From the pierced side of Christ, the new temple, flow the waters of Baptism and the Eucharist. From the sacrificial love of mothers flows life into families and the Church.
Theme: “Not to be served but to serve.”
A mother asks Jesus for the places of honour for her two sons. Jesus answers with the cup of suffering and the way of service. In the 2025–26 lectionary this was Mothers' Forum Day; the Eight Days' Fast in honour of Mary continues.
“He charged them: “This is how you shall act: in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart.”” 2 Chronicles 19:9
“But whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43–45
Apply: Do one humble service at home this week that usually falls to someone else.
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
“And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”” Matthew 20:21–22
Apply: Mothers: pray each day this week for the holiness of each of your children by name.
“Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes.” Ezekiel 47:9
“Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” Philippians 2:6–7
Apply: Offer your particular gift (time, skill, money) to a parish ministry.
In the kingdom the first are servants and the greatest are those who give their lives.
Let us follow the Servant Lord with Mary, the handmaid of the Lord.
Take-home resolution: Keep the remaining days of the Eight Days' Fast with a daily act of service.
Dear brothers and sisters, a mother came to Jesus and knelt before him with her two sons. She asked: let my sons sit at your right and your left in your kingdom. What mother does not want the best for her children? Jesus did not scold her. He said: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”
The other disciples were angry. So Jesus called them together and said: the rulers of the nations lord it over people; it shall not be so among you. Whoever wants to be great must be your servant. “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” That is the cup: the self-giving love that goes all the way to the Cross.
St Paul says Christ emptied himself and took the form of a servant. Who understands this better than mothers? Sleepless nights, meals given up, tears hidden, prayers said for children far away. Our mothers drink the cup of Christ every day. Today we honour them, and we thank God for them.
Ezekiel saw water flowing from the temple, bringing life wherever it went. From the side of Christ on the Cross flowed blood and water, the life of the Church. From the love of mothers flows life into our families. This week, honour your mother, serve at home, and let us pray during the Eight Days' Fast for all mothers, through Mary, the Mother of God. Amen.
Children, a mother asked Jesus to give her sons the best seats in heaven. Jesus said the best thing is to serve others with love.
Jesus said: “I came not to be served but to serve.” He even gave his life for us!
Your mother serves you every day. How can you serve her this week? Give her a big thank you!
Lord Jesus, you came not to be served but to serve and to give your life as a ransom for many. Bless all mothers, who drink your cup of self-giving love; teach us to serve one another; and let the living water from your side bring life wherever we go. Amen.