October 18 Mark 10:35-45 Every so often, I can tell my kids are plotting something. They disappear for a while, and then they come back with big grins on their faces. “You ask her.” “No, you ask her!” They hem and haw for a while. Maybe harken my memory back to some exemplary behavior or action from the past that makes them worthy of merit. Then they speed into their proposal, rushing headlong into the arguments against whatever they suspect my objections might be. Today the plotting children are James and John. They’ve been huddled together off to the side of the group of disciples just out of hearing distance. Their voices hushed, eyes furtively glancing periodically at Jesus. This has been going on for some time. Too long. Then they finally come out, shoulders thrown back with resolve, each nudging the other to be in front, poking the other to speak first. Finally they pull out the familiar child’s ploy: “Promise us you’ll say yes to whatever we ask!” Jesus