October 2015

We find many obstacles that get in the way of our discipleship. We are preoccupied with our hopes and anxieties. Many of these may be like those of the chosen disciples; we too are concerned with our security and whether life is going to be kind to us. The true disciple tries to see more clearly, trying to base the truth of his or her life on that of Christ, who is “the way, the truth and the life.” From time to time we too will be granted moments that offer us a significant step forward. They may be the difficult challenges that come with death, sickness or the loss of work and love ones. They may also be great moments of joy and elation when we are granted to see or hear things in a new way. What is common to all these moments is that they take us out of ourselves, and their aftereffects is that we too are more able to follow Jesus along the way. The great thing is that we too do not walk that way alone. We pursue our path in the great company of fellow pilgrims and believers, and we are supported by our risen Lord, always with us in His word and in His sacramental presence.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were anxious to share the glory of Jesus in His kingdom. Clearly, they didn’t understand what they were asking for. Yes, they said that they were prepared to do whatever Jesus would to do, but they were thinking about the worldly power and prestige that would come through their association with Jesus. They had yet to learn the lesson that the kingdom of Jesus does not confer wealth and status. On the contrary, the reign of God can only come about through humble service. The first places in God’s thinking belong to those at the bottom of the pile rather that the top. Centuries earlier, the prophet Isaiah had foreseen that the leadership of Israel would no longer be in the hands of self-serving kings, but rather in those of a servant of God who would be prepared to suffer for the sake of His people. Jesus fulfills not only this new way of being a leader, but also becomes a new model of priesthood, as we read in today’s second reading. He is the supreme high priest who has access to God himself as he offers the sacrifice of His own blood in redemption for all of us. We can have absolute confidence, then, in Jesus, the servant king, the supreme high priest, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom of many.

As disciples of Jesus, are we moved to give of ourselves so that others may have a better life? Do we feel a human connection with people whose lives are in crisis for whatever reason? Or are we simply looking for ways to satisfy our hunger for power, possessions and pleasure? The choice to put ourselves at the service of others will never be easy. What will other people think? Is it a waste of a life when there is so much else that can be experienced in the world today? As followers of Jesus, we have the great reassurance that He has not only modelled a life of humble service and encouraged us to follow His example, He is now our intercessor in the presence of God the Father when we are in need of help. So today let us renew our commitment to follow Jesus in the way of humble service of those who need our help, trusting that He will help us to overcome our selfish tendencies to put ourselves in first place.