2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt 20:20-28
The gospel features the story about a mother who asked Jesus to seat her two sons to his left and right in his kingdom. Matthew got this story from Mark but toned it down considerably. In Matthew, the mother asks that her sons be given the privileged position; in Mark, the two boys ask for the positions of power themselves. In Matthew, the two sons are not given names; in Mark, we are told that the two were James and John.
In the story, Jesus took the opportunity out of the occasion to remind his first disciples about the real meaning of leadership and greatness. First place is achieved through service; greatness is measured by servanthood. The Master himself came not to be served but to serve, and so must the followers be.
Today, many people study and work hard to get to the top. Such ambition is common in schools, in work places, in politics, or even in the Church. There is nothing wrong with aiming for higher position. Excellence also is a virtue. However, those who desire for power must be careful not to be corrupted by it. Power, like money, is a good servant, not a good master. Those who occupy positions of authority have to make sure that they are serving others, not their personal interests.
James the apostle, whose feast we celebrate today, was initially driven by ambition, and so was his brother John. Eventually, however, the two learned where true greatness lies. The Book of Acts informs us that John would always yield to Peter when it comes to preaching and doing miracles. James, for his part, was inspired by great zeal to preach the gospel to the world and, putting aside all selfish interests, rose to such splendid heights that he straight-away suffered martyrdom (Acts 12: 2).
The gospel features the story about a mother who asked Jesus to seat her two sons to his left and right in his kingdom. Matthew got this story from Mark but toned it down considerably. In Matthew, the mother asks that her sons be given the privileged position; in Mark, the two boys ask for the positions of power themselves. In Matthew, the two sons are not given names; in Mark, we are told that the two were James and John.
In the story, Jesus took the opportunity out of the occasion to remind his first disciples about the real meaning of leadership and greatness. First place is achieved through service; greatness is measured by servanthood. The Master himself came not to be served but to serve, and so must the followers be.
Today, many people study and work hard to get to the top. Such ambition is common in schools, in work places, in politics, or even in the Church. There is nothing wrong with aiming for higher position. Excellence also is a virtue. However, those who desire for power must be careful not to be corrupted by it. Power, like money, is a good servant, not a good master. Those who occupy positions of authority have to make sure that they are serving others, not their personal interests.
James the apostle, whose feast we celebrate today, was initially driven by ambition, and so was his brother John. Eventually, however, the two learned where true greatness lies. The Book of Acts informs us that John would always yield to Peter when it comes to preaching and doing miracles. James, for his part, was inspired by great zeal to preach the gospel to the world and, putting aside all selfish interests, rose to such splendid heights that he straight-away suffered martyrdom (Acts 12: 2).
1 comment:
Good post.
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