Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
March 23, 2011
To see the readings, click here:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032311.shtml
In today's gospel reading, Jesus gives the now familiar directive that we are not to be like the rulers of this world, lording it over others, but that we are to be servants to one another. This is one of those directives we hear so often in a life of Christianity that it can become easy to lose our focus on how counterintuitive it really is.
How many stories have we heard in the news about political leaders, religious leaders, business leaders -- anyone in a position of power, really -- becoming increasingly full of themselves and twisting the perks of their position into ever increasing power grabs. We hear stories of graft and corruption that seem shocking on one level but then again, not really. Because it is clear that little abuses of power don't shock us at all; it is only the magnitude that sometimes still has the power to shock. Surely one of the truest adages ever is that "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
THAT is the truth that Jesus tells us to go against. We have been called to follow him, to carry on his powerful work, but we are not to act as though we have power at all. We are to be servants to one another. to follow the example of Jesus' willingness to serve so far that he gave the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life for us.
Bringing it down to a level a little closer to home, I think that means for most of us that we not only don't try to take the credit for the work of others, but that we're willing to stand aside and let someone else get the recognition even when we contributed. I think it means that we don't just make time for our friends or family members to talk when it is convenient, when we FEEL like talking with them, but also when it is inconvenient, when there are a thousand other things pressing us that we would rather be doing. And yes, the more conventional images too: that we get our hands dirty, dish out food to those who come through the line at a soup kitchen, give our time where it is needed, not where it is fun to give.
We are called to serve, and I don't know any Americans who grow up wanting to become a servant. Maybe this call is even harder for us than for those who grow up in some other cultures. But it is our calling.
Father, thank you for calling us to serve, and thank you for setting the example with the way you lived your earthly life as well as your ultimate sacrifice of that life. Pour out your spirit upon us and strengthen us in our resolve to serve. Help us to accept the roles you put us in, even the lowly ones, and to perform them all to your glory. Amen
