Service as Self Sacrifice

Service as Self Sacrifice

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Ish 53:10-11, Heb. 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45. On this Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, the Church invites us to become the servant of all and give our lives for others. Today's first reading is a prophetic presentation of an aspect of the mysteries of the promised Saviour that we sometimes find difficult to associate with and the values He set before us. This part of the suffering servant songs was a clear indication of the sorrowful mysteries of Christ; the mystery of His suffering and rejection by those He loved so much and His death on the Cross and most importantly the mystery of the redemptive values inherent therein; “By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself.” In Jesus Christ we see and understand the redemptive value of suffering and sorrow and that as Christians, our lives must also pass through this path, as an indispensable tunnel that leads us to the glory that is to be revealed. In today's Gospel, Jesus asked the two brothers, James and John: “can you drink the cup that I must drink?”

The cup of sorrow and pain as is found in the Cross, “Father, if you will, take this cup away from me” (Lk. 22:42). James and John were fast individuals; they approached Jesus to grant them the highest position in His new Kingdom. It was clear that these young men neither knew the meaning of true service nor the implication of sitting at the right and left of Jesus. They thought of service as enjoying privileges and setting themselves above others. Therefore, Jesus was quick to correct their false impression of leadership when He said: “You do not know what you are asking…Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:38.43-45). By this statement, Jesus taught them that self-sacrifice is the essence of leadership. His life story is a perfect example of selfless service and self-sacrifice. The climax of His self-sacrifice was in laying down His life for others. In the stories of service and solidarity, we have the examples of leaders who are ready to face some challenges: The Prophet Isaiah speaks of such a humble suffering servant as one who bears the burdens of many and offer His life for many (Ish 53:10). The characteristics of this suffering servant perfectly fit the life of Jesus. All those who serve and who are in positions of leadership ought to learn from the leadership qualities of Jesus.

May the life of Christ continue to inform and instruct us, guide and keep us firm on that path that certainly leads us to arrive and stay in eternity! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!

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