To serve is to reign with Christ : Is 53:10-11; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45 (B 29)

To serve is to reign with Christ

Is 53:10-11; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45 (B 29)

“I know the plans I have in mind for you – plans for peace, not disaster... ” (DO)

 

There is an unquenchable thirst for recognition and fame, power and authority in every person. It is not exceptional in the lives of the disciples of Jesus thirsting for power, position, and authority. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, urged their mother to strike a deal with Jesus. The ambitious disciples wanted the highest position in the kingdom of Jesus. But Jesus reversed the world’s understanding of power, authority, and position, that is, the order of master and servant, lord and subject, first and last., etc. Jesus wedded authority with submission, position with disposition, and domination with humility.

Our Lord on several occasions rebuked the pride, vain-glory, and strife for pre-eminence which broke forth again and again. He did it by symbolic acts like setting a little child and exhorting them to be childlike spirit; washing feet and bidding them follow his example of condescension and humility. So, it would not grant them their request for prominence in his kingdom. He gave them the understanding that the bestowment of honors is governed by great moral laws and that will be the result of their operation in the heart and in society.

The two disciples who asked for power were promised the cup of sorrow instead and the baptism of suffering upon the cross of Calvary. They had some foretaste of their portion when they saw their Master in his humiliation and death. In the course of time, it enlarged their experience. James fell victim to the sword of the persecutor. John lived a long life of witness. Both were faithful to their Master, Christ unto death. Both lost all taint of earthly ambitions and followed the fellowship of their Lord’s cross and passion.

How can we live as ministers of one another, as servants of all in the family, in the Church, in the world?  All of us are endowed with lots of different gifts. We have a responsibility to develop our gifted talents in service to the Lord and his people. What can we do best? Some can care for “imprisoned” with mercy, compassion and justice. Others have a great deal of empathy for the sick. Others have a generous heart for the poor. Others are great parents not just to their own children but to those orphaned by the circumstances of their lives. We all have many talents. Talents are given to us to serve the needy in the kingdom. 

The Lord understands our failures, our limitations, our fear and the times that we lack confidence in ourselves to do his work. Yet he sees us using his talents like love and determination to seek him out in others and serve his presence as Saint Teresa of Calcutta did and said, “The fruit of love is service and peace”. And we share God’s reign by laying down our lives in humble service and love for one another.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash-heap...” (DO)