Sunday Gospel Reflection
The Son of man came not to be served but to serve

Introduction:

The Glory of Christian Leadership

What sorts of ambitions do people have? How do these ambitions affect those around them?

A simple test of character is the question: "Why?" Why does the candidate seek the power a political position holds? Why does the actor seek fame in Hollywood or on Broadway? Why does the business person seek wealth or the climb up the corporate ladder? Why does the person of faith seek a position of ministry?

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with ambition in any of these fields. In fact, most people use ambition to better themselves and their surroundings. But the question must be asked: why do they seek? Do they want to wealth and fame and power for themselves alone? Or do they want to use these ambitions for the greater good? These were the questions Jesus asked his followers when the subject of ambition raised its head among the Apostles.

First Reading
Isaiah 53:10-11

10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand;
11 he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities

Second Reading
Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Gospel Reading
Mark 10:35-45

35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached HIM, saying to HIM, "TEACHER, we wish that YOU will do for us what we ask (of) YOU."
36 HE said to them, "What do you wish [of] ME] that I will do for you?"
37 They said to him, "Grant to us that, one (of us) on YOUR right and one (of us) on YOUR left, we might sit (beside YOU) in YOUR glory."
38 JESUS said to them, "You do not know what you ask (for). Are you able to drink the cup which I drink or to be baptized in the baptism which I am baptized?"
39 They said to HIM, "We are able." JESUS said to them, "The cup which I drink, you will drink, and the baptism in which I am baptized, you will be baptized in.
40 To sit on my right or my left is not MINE to give, but to whom it has been prepared."
41 Having heard (the discussion), the (other) ten began to become angry at James and John.
42 Having called them towards (HIMSELF), JESUS said to them, "You know that the ones regarded as rulers of the nations show mastery over them and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 It is not thus among you. But, whoever might want to become great among you will be your servant,
44 and whoever might want to be the first will be the slave of all.
45 For even the SON OF MAN not come to serve, but to serve and to give HIS life (as a) ransom in behalf of many."

Bible Study/Meditation

When James and John asked for seats of honor and authority in Jesus' kingdom, the other apostles became indignant, apparently jealous of being passed over. But Jesus gently asked these two men whether they were prepared to follow him down the only road to his kingdom, which is the way of the cross.

Baptized into his death, all Christians will reign with him. But how do we live out the reality of that union? Jesus tells us we won't find good models in secular society, where leaders "lord it over" those they are called to lead. For this, we have to look to Jesus, who came as "the slave of all," and to the men and women who imitated him.

One such woman was Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who will be beatified today in Rome. For more than fifty years, Mother Teresa dedicated herself to serving the poorest of the poor throughout the world. Along with the sisters who joined her religious order, she didn't just help the poor; she lived among them, embracing a life of poverty in imitation of Jesus, who also became poor so that we could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). And as she did, she discovered the same truth about material goods that Jesus sought to teach James and John about prestige and worldly respect: "The more you have, the more you are occupied, and the less you give. But the less you have, the more free you are. Poverty for us is a freedom."

Because she wanted to be filled only with Christ, Mother Teresa was able to give generously, both of herself and of Jesus' love. Often, the work was exhausting and thankless. But it also generated laughter, hope, and glimpses of the glory of God. As we celebrate Mother Teresa's beatification today, let's follow her example. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus and ask him to help us serve as fully as he-and she-did.

Reflections:

· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you and what inner message of the heart is the Spirit whispering to you?

. The Communion of Saints embodies the notion that all who are in Christ serve one another in love. True Christian leaders bring the sacred communion to life. For their ambition is not to glorify themselves but to evangelize. True Christian leaders bring others to Christ. Questions of fame, power, or gold are, at best, secondary.
  -----How have others shown you Christian charity? How have they shown you and others their leadership qualities?

. Jesus fits the waiter/servant role perfectly. He leads by serving us; even though he seems distant, he is ever present to help. As Christians, we are to lead others in the same way, with tact and quiet guidance, by moral example and moral commitment. Such leadership leads to the cross. But it also leads to resurrection.
  -----In what areas have you shown service in the past year/months/weeks? What do your experiences and plans reveal about your leadership?

. We share in God's reign by laying down our lives in humble service as Jesus did for our sake. Are you willing to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus did?

.How would you respond if Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" Good health and long life? Wealth? Power? The conversion of loved ones? Honor and praise from others? How about meaningful work with a lot of suffering and few external rewards?

.I magine yourself present with James and John in their "private" meeting with Jesus. As they have asked favors from him, so have you. What are the favors I have asked of Jesus? How would he answer you?

.In my community (family, social group, church, etc) how do you serve others? Would Jesus have to say to you, "It should not be so among you"?

.The disciples were shortsighted, ambitious, and selfish men. What love and confidence Jesus must have had on these men who went on to become pillars of the church. How do you look upon my brothers and their weaknesses? How should you look upon them?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, you upheld Jesus throughout his life. Grant me eyes of faith to see you and the heart of compassion to share you with others. Make me a living witness to the love that can transform the world.Make me a servant of your love, that I may seek to serve rather than be served.