Two of Jesus' disciples asked Him to do them a favour. Nothing wrong about that, except that the favour they asked seemed very selfish in comparison with the huge favours the Lord had already done in choosing them and making them His friends. And He still had many more graces and favours to give them. Their companions were indignant and angry when they found out what James and John had asked for. Why? Were they jealous? But Jesus wasn't angry with the two men: disappointed maybe, because their ambition was evidently still so narrow and they didn't seem to recognise just who He was. So He gave them all a lesson about power and service. What James and John had asked for was really something quite silly, but perhaps not as silly as many of the favours that I ask Him for. He told us to ask for what we want. However, the point is not in "getting" things for ourselves, nor in having power and being in control, but in having such great confidence in Him that we know He really is our friend, our Lord, the One who gives us what we need, far beyond the wildest of our dreams. The favours I ask for are but tiny things compared with the love the Lord gives me. Let me always be mindful of and thankful for His very real favours.