Chosen to Serve for the Sake of Love

Details: Written by: Rev. Fr. Paul Gaa; Category: Reflections by Rev. Fr. Paul Gaa; Last Updated: 08 April 2024; Hits: 321

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

TODAY'S REFLECTION - WEDNESDAY, 8TH WEEK - ORDINARY TIME
St. Joan of Arc, Virgin Martyr
1 Peter 1:10-16/Psalm 147:12-15,19-20/Mark 10:32-45

CHOSEN TO SERVE FOR THE SAKE OF LOVE
Beloved, in our today's first reading, St. Peter reminds us how Jesus shed his precious blood for us out of true love. We are also encouraged to obediently and truly love one another as brothers and sisters.

Friends, in our today's Gospel reading, St. Mark tells us how James and John (brothers - sons of Zebedee) made a selfish and ambitious request. St. Matthew however said it was the mother of John and James who made the request, on behalf of her sons ( Matthew 20:20-28). Jesus resolutely set his mind towards Jerusalem, where he would go and suffer for our sake. Instead of thinking about how this would happen, the disciples were looking for positions. What will first position/first class/prestigious certificate on earth mean, if I miss heaven at the end? Our wish should be to attain heavenly reward, whether l had a good position or certificate on earth here or not. They become useful only when I am alive. But when I am dead and gone, they don't matter any longer, only my deeds. James and John wanted preferential treatment. How do we expect the other(s) to feel? While Jesus is thinking about the general good, some of us are thinking about our own individual good. Jesus used the occasion to teach them about servant-leadership. Jesus himself demonstrated this throughout his earthly life and more concretely, when he washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:1-15). A servant-leader is a leader who should make himself a slave to all in order to win (1 Corinthians 9:19); a leader who should serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2); a leader, who should not impose himself/herself on others; a leader, who should not be a domineering overlord (1 Peter 5:1-3). Let us be mindful of the love Christ showed us and also show that love genuinely. We should pray for all those vying for leadership positions, to do so in a manner that will not destroy themselves now and later. We should learn from Jesus and to treat everyone equally and be servant-leaders. BE BLESSED.

Fr. Gaa(0206854323/0240308878) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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