Every family is very different. Some are close to each other, some are boisterous, some are happy most of the time, others are sad most of the time and others are always fighting with each other. Quite frequently, groups become like families. The work group that has been together for a long period of time, the friends that have gotten together once a month for many years or the group that only gets together once a year to fish, hunt, go to the spa, go wine tasting or enjoy good food form bonds that often become like families. Think about your own experiences with your own families or friends.
The apostles became a family very quickly. They were together all the time and soon had all the familiar joys and struggles of any family. When the mother of two of the disciples went to Jesus and requested a place of honor for her sons, Jesus turned to the two sons and asked if they could drink the chalice that he would drink. They quickly answered yes without even knowing what was in the chalice. Jesus told them that they would drink the chalice that he would drink.
This was simply a mother and her two sons trying to get a place of honor for themselves. As we have talked many times, honor is everything in Middle Eastern culture and lying, stealing – even murder is considered acceptable to preserve honor. A place of honor at Jesus’ side would be a great accomplishment.
When the rest of the disciples heard what the two disciples and their mother asked Jesus to do for them, they were angry with the two disciples even though Jesus rebuked them. Whether they were angry because they didn’t have the opportunity to be the one to ask or they were jealous that they would not receive the honor.
Jesus called all of them together and talked to them about how all those in authority take great pleasure ruling over those who are under their authority. Then Jesus said “whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.”
It is hard to be a servant. Sometimes we think it is beneath us. Other times we are compelled by peer pressure to conform to the group standard and avoid those who are different or dress below the group norm. This even happens in churches sometimes.
But Jesus said that we had to avoid greatness as the world knows greatness and serve others. He did not make any exceptions. It is important that we understand this lesson. The place of honor as the world defines honor is not how Christians are to live their lives.
Our natural tendency is to want the place of honor but Jesus said that we must serve others. Pope Francis is a great example of serving others; especially the outcast, the prisoner, the sick, the homeless and the disabled. The Church must be different, to be so different that the world has to take notice that we are walking away from the place of honor to help others.
How will we be the servant to all in this Year of Mercy? How will we be a slave to those in need in this Year of Mercy? Especially during this Lenten Season, will we just go out of our way to show an act of kindness to the person on the corner asking for money? Will we pray an extra prayer that God will help each person who is in need? Will pray for the Church in lands where Christians are being martyred? How will we serve others in this Year of Mercy?
