Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - Wednesday in the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time
[1 Peter 1:18-25 and Mark 10:32-45]You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over then felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
The Chinese have an ancient proverb (one which their current government seems to ignore a lot), "Governing is like frying small fish. It should be done with a light hand." The words of Jesus quoted above from today's gospel scripture are a reaction to the attempted political "end run" of James and John, which blows the lid off what the whole group was really thinking about the kingdom and authority. One may safely assume that the other ten were not indignant at the understanding possessed by the sons of Zebedee, but rather at their effort to "get there first." Jesus' admonition to them should be printed in bold print, framed and hung on the wall of all persons who exercise authority and power in the church. I can speak from experience as one who has been a Vicar Provincial, Prior, Subprior, Formation Director, campus ministry director.....the only way authority works is by good example. The rulers of Jesus' time, as he points out, were not at all interested in serving anybody. They had servants to take care of that side of things (at least for important visitors). At first, many well-intentioned leaders try to "please everyone" and discover that is not possible. Sometimes you can't please anybody! That's when they begin to withdraw behind rules and regulations and assistants and staff and programs. In other words, as a matter of emotional survival they create the institutional fortress from which authority issues decrees, policies, guidelines, programs, initiatives, accountabilities...... When Jesus asks James and John if they can drink the same cup that he will drink of, it doesn't look like they understand what cup he is talking about. They may be thinking of the cup of wine a servant will bring while they sit on the throne telling people what to do! It just doesn't work that way. Real authority in the church comes from a caring attitude and personal accessibility - no matter whether it will please the person being served or not. The example Jesus gave was to wash the feet of the disciples. Anyone aspiring to the ministry of authority better be prepared to have those feet kick once in awhile. AMEN
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