19th September 2021
Wisdom 2:12.17-20;
Psalm 54:3-4.5.6 and 8;
James 3:16-4:3;
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
DISCIPLESHIP BASED ON SERVICE
The readings of today converge on service according to the wisdom of God which most of the time contrasts with the understanding of service from the World.
This opposition is much clear in the gospel where we find the disciple discussing among themselves who would be the greatest in the Kingdom. The disciple had a political understanding of service and leadership whereby the one who has the highest position imposes his power over others and rules over the rest with the guarantee of all privileges.
Jesus opposes this misunderstanding by bringing the image of a child as the model of service and adds: “if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
This is a revolutionary understanding of service where having power over others and leadership is not about privileges and power but is all about being the first to do what the law commands, be the first to work hard for the good of others, it implies sacrificing your time and efforts for the welfare of others, and at last being ready to suffer and take the last consequences, if necessary, for the good of those whom we are serving.
In the second reading, Saint Paul brings up the results of misunderstanding the notion of service and leadership as mere power over others and looking for individuals’ interests and advantages at the cost of others, as he asks: “what causes wars, and what causes fightings among you?
Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so, you kill. And you covet...so you fight and wage war.” So, all these happen when we lack the heart of a child who is always ready to give, to share and, not attach herself/himself to any position, money or, bad inclinations of the body.
The heart of a child is mainly qualified by the capacity to reconcile very fast; in a child’s heart, there is no room for covet, war, desire to possess everything because the main source of happiness for a child is her/his mother’s presence.
Which one is the source of our happiness and success; is God’s presence (who created us and gave us whatever we have today and to Him we shall return)? Do we look for God before anything else? Or we have found comfort and happiness in power, positions, money, privileges, our bodily appetites.
May God, with the intercession of Our Lady of Rosary, gives us the humility and simplicity we need to put God as a priority in our life, our family, our work, our academy, etc. may the Spirit of the Lord transform our heart int a child’s heart to understand the real meaning of service as Jesus himself showed us on the cross the serve and save the whole humanity.
Our Lady of Rosary: pray for us.
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