Servanthood

Today’s Gospel Text: Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matt 20:20-28

Reflection: The most intriguing part of today’s gospel passage is the woman, the mother of  the sons of Zebedee.

How were they so sure of this mystery of Jesus’ special power and of his kingdom? And which Kingdom were they talking about, the earthly or heavenly?

Nevertheless, they still ask him for that favour and from the reaction of the other 10 disciples it becomes evident that the woman was pleading for a position for the sons. They couldn’t be so doing unless they had communicated that ambition to their mother.

Seems that they wanted their mother to play the seductive role of influencing Jesus with a request, Hence the other disciples were not angry with the mother but with their companion.

It is not bad to have an ambition for the greater things of life and in no way Jesus discourages that, evident even in this passage, What is important and to be kept in mind, is that there are no short cuts to positions.

Still more important and a necessary fact would be that there are no such glories in any positions in the church of God.

Hence if someone aspires to be a Bishop or a superior for self glory, then they fail to see his vocation in the light of Christian revelation. It is like seeking to serve ones own interest rather than the interest of the one, on account of whom we are alive and surviving, by whose wisdom we are able to do anything good to our brothers and sisters.

Similarly, the demand for women priests is an aberration in our time in the light of Christ teaching on servanthood and positions of power,

What about the many who are envious about someone else's position and gifts, those who manifest jealousy and through intrigues try to pull down others through false accusations and allegations- are they not also walking in the same folly of the overambitious?

Prayer: Lord, may I seek to serve and not to be served at in whatever positions and wherever you call me to serve.

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