September 19, 2021; 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

Readings: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Jas. 3:16-4:3; Mk. 9:30-37 

Authority in Service

1.     In the first reading the Book of Wisdom addresses the difference between the just and the wicked. The wicked is tired of the religiosity of the just and their claim of immortality and God’s justice. For them, it is useless pursuing a life of righteousness and justice in the world where both the just and the unjust suffer equally, despite God’s promise of security for the just. Why not live your life today since there is nothing more to it? With this kind of reasoning Christ’s prediction of his death makes no sense. No wonder why it was so difficult for the apostles to take him seriously. Who wants to suffer the agony of the cross? What is the purpose of living for others when we can live for yourselves? Why carry the cross when one can live a comfortable life? While on the road, instead of thinking about the second prediction of Christ’s death, the apostles are thinking of who is the greatest among them. They were thinking about their future, their retirement plan, and their place in history.

2.     Even the mother of Zebedee’s sons would not allow her sons to be left out. Approaching Jesus, she too made her request, “Command that these two sons or mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” (Mt. 20:21). It is like they wanted to be sure Jesus made his will before he left them. They had to be sure their contribution in the mission project counted for something. While Christ was telling them “The Son of man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”, they were busy “Discussing among themselves who was the greatest.” The apostles’ way of thinking was by no means different from the way we think. We are ambitious! We want to be great, be respected and be acknowledged as benevolent leaders. We want to be sure that our tomorrow is secured. Sometimes in struggling for greatness, we overlook the plight of others. Christ shared with them his fear of rejection and crucifixion, but they were concerned about their own selfish ends and ambitions. Like the wicked in the first reading, who cares! How insensitive they were to his feelings!

3.     Christ knew them well. He used their insensitivity to teach them a lesson on authority and service. He taught them the meaning of real greatness. “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk. 10:43-45). He practiced what he preached by his life. He washed their feet, and told them, “You call Me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn. 13:13-15). Authority in the Church is for service. Hence the motto of the Holy Father the pope is: Servant of the servants of God. He is the chief servant of us all. He is called to serve others, and so are all other ministers. Ours is not to lord it over others but to lead them by the power of our example and teach them how to willingly serve others.

4.     Christ presented them with another symbol of authority – humility and dependence. He introduced a child into the picture and told them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” A child does not depend on his importance and greatness but on his parents’. His security and safety come from his parents and guardians. Christ wants his apostles to rely on God, the father us all for greatness and strength. If God is not the source of their greatness they will derail from the right path and seek it through other means. And this will lead to jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder, and every vile practice, according to St. James, in the second reading. Of course, what the disciples were discussing was anything but a path to greatness. The followers of Christ are called to avoid the disordered path to greatness. If they want to be first and have authority, they must walk the path of service.

5.     The second reading points us to the root cause of conflicts in a spiritual life that is not rooted in humility and service. James asked, “Where do the conflicts among you originate? Is it not your inner craving that makes war within your members?” Pride and petty jealousy stir up hatred in a heart which cries out for vengeance even against the innocent. “Let us best the just one, let us condemn him to a shameful death.” (Wisdom 2:19-20). We are often blinded by our inordinate desires and motives that make it difficult to see the needs of others. Instead of relying on God and the wisdom that comes from above, we look down and trust our instinct to earthly wisdom. So, we only think of ourselves and our self-importance. A humble person sees others and not himself.

6.     According to Philip John and Premdas in ‘New Horizons’, “What motivates my decisions, shapes the style or my functioning? In the exercise of authority, what is my primary unexpressed, gut-level concern? To service or to be served? To win popularity, to ingratiate myself, to be able to cling to the seat or power? Or is it an attitude of humble service? The number one crisis in the Church at all levels is the crisis in authority. Starting with the wrong question, we end up in a sorry mess. The wrong question is: Who is the greatest among us? The right question is: How can I be a humble servant.” Many leaders in the church have caused incalculable harm to the body of Christ due to their insatiable desire for power and authority. We allow pride and our sense of importance to control our willingness to serve the church and those entrusted to our care.

7.     At this Mass may we take some time to reflect and pray on our understanding of power in the church. Let us pray that we may not be ruled by our passion for authority and power but our willingness to serve like Christ. May we depend on the wisdom that comes from above so that our service may be meaningful. As Christ came to serve and not to be served, may we learn the true meaning of authority for the service of God and humanity. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.