Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - 2nd Week of Lent - Wed
[Jer 18:18-20 and Matt 20:17-28]"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." [Matthew]
These words of Jesus follow the attempt by the mother of James and John to secure a promise from Jesus that her sons would be given privileged places in the "kingdom" that Jesus was preaching! The words, however, are addressed to all the disciples and not just James and John. The model of authority and power that they knew was "the rulers of the Gentiles," which would have included the Roman authorities as well as their appointees in the area. The desire to be a ruler or "boss" could be very attractive. Service? That's for those who are subject to the ruler! Jesus flatly rejects that notion of authority and power.
Every position of leadership, whether it be religious or secular, brings responsibilities and expectations with it. When it is a matter of leadership within the Christian community, the expectation is that the model of Jesus should be the one to be followed. Every pastor or committee chairperson is called to be a "servant leader." Washing the feet of the disciples, as Jesus did at the Last Supper, can be a challenging task. Jesus himself used the image of a shepherd and that challenge could be worth the life of the shepherd. Having been a religious superior myself, I have sometimes thought I was the shepherd of a herd of cats!!
Whatever role of service we are called to play in our families and communities, the example of Jesus should be our guide. AMEN