Homily for May 29, 2018.
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44.
When asked to choose between being a king in control of a very large and wealthy palace or being the least of the servants with no entitlements whatsoever, which option would you take?
Which option will I take?
Dear friends, having been created by God, made in the image and likeness of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, the President of Presidents, I think it is only fair to say that it is in our human nature to desire for kingship, to aspire for leadership, to rule rather than be ruled.
Deep down within everyone you know, there is a craving for some lofty position. Of course, this is assuming that you know yourself too. In all honesty, we are James and John; we want to sit at the right and left of Jesus and we are prepared to drink wine to stupor if that is what it will take.
What about the other disciples, aren’t they better than James and John? They just didn’t have the courage to voice out their aspirations. One may ask if they were not also interested, how come they couldn’t hold themselves? Why did they suddenly become indignant (resentful, hostile, envious) with the brothers?
By the way, today’s Gospel passage comes from Mark 10, do you remember that a few days ago, we read in Mark 9 how the disciples were arguing among themselves who was the greatest? Do you remember Jesus setting a child before them to teach them a lesson? Can’t you see now that James and John simply decided to “up” their game?
None human being likes to be second-in-command, talk less of servant or slave. Hence, to do what Jesus is saying in today’s Gospel passage, to choose to serve rather than be served, to become the slave (the unknown, the used, the unnecessary) is the noblest aspiration any true follower of Christ can have.
One thing I have noticed that keeps me unsettled is the fact that people who have risen to such great heights of power or influence, people whose mere appearance elicits fear among many are most of the time, very humble, simple, down to earth and ordinary in their own eyes. When you get close to them, you are shocked to discover they aren’t monsters yet their bodyguards, their servants, would make you regret the day you were born for attempting to come near.
I have seen young lawyers who would not get up in an occasion simply because the master of ceremony forgot to mention proper titles or did not pronounce their names correctly. Yet, I have seen judges, senior advocates who are so simple; they do not even like to be identified in the midst of people not to mention being introduced as such. Why this is the case, I do not know. I may go on citing examples, but the point is made already.
Dear friends, the choice is yours to make; to be a servant or to be the king? It is nobler to serve, it is better to be nothing than to praised and worshipped by men. What is the point fighting to rule over people when I am just grass? As St. Peter sums up in today’s first reading: “All flesh is grass and its glory like wildflowers. The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” 1st Peter 1:24 and Isaiah 40:6.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom to serve just like you. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1st Peter 1:18-25 and Mark 10:32-45).
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