“World Mission Sunday”

READINGS:Isaiah 53: 10-11   /   Psalm 33: 4-5. 18-19. 20-22   /   Hebrews 4: 14-16   /   MARK 10: 35-45

HIS WORD…THE CUP THAT I DRINK, YOU WILL DRINK, AND WITH THE BAPTISM WITH WHICH I AM BAPTIZED, YOU WILL BE BAPTIZED; BUT TO SIT AT MY RIGHT OR AT MY LEFT IS NOT MINE TO GIVE BUT IS FOR THOSE FOR WHOM IT HAS BEEN PREPARED…

my words… How amazing it is in the Philippines… that as of last Friday, October 16, 2015, 130 people wanted to become the President of the Republic of the Philippines; while only 19 who would like to become the Vice President of the land, and 172 are vying for the senatorial slates and seats! What does this mean or signify? It simply means that these COC Filers are also “power-hungry” people even if they do not have the maximum capacity, capability, “intelligence”, and moral fiber to govern our people.

But mind you my dear Christians, the 12 Apostles were not exempted from such kind of mentality or ambition in life. Prior to this episode of today’s gospel (Mk 9:30-37 – September 20, 2015 Gospel), they were quarrelling as to who among them is the greatest or can be the greatest once Jesus would be enthroned as King of Jerusalem. And in today’s gospel episode, the two brothers and sons of Zebedee were directly asking Jesus (In Matthew’s version, it was their mother Salome who asked for it) that they be seated one at His right and the other at His left in His glory (Mk 10:37). And these positions in the Jewish governmental hierarchy were the highest positions for they can carry out commands and orders as “Little Kings”; equivalent to our present governmental hierarchical positions as executive secretaries. The effect or reaction of the request: the other ten were indignant at James and John (Mk 10:41); Why?Dahilnaunahano nalamangansila… meaning, all of them had the same ambition for power.

Brothers and Sisters,human as we are, we also have the tendency to become power-hungry people even in our service and ministry in the Church. We sometimes crave to be somebody in the Church; we tend to show ourselves that we are church workers! But Jesus said, “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all” (Mk 10:43-44). In other words, government in the Church is “humble service”; for Jesus, “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). Power in the Church therefore is shown by the person’s ability to stoop down and serve; the greatest for Jesus are those who forget their position so as to minister to the needs of all.

Fr. Gil A. Alinsangan, SSP reflected that, “Power in the Church comes from service, and this in a sense, is not determined by “positions” or “offices”. St. Augustine, reflecting on his position as bishop, wrote: “What I am with you gives me joy, what I am for you frightens me. For with you, I am a Christian; for you I am a bishop. The former is grace, the latter is an office. The former is salvation, the latter a temptation”. (Fr. Gil A. Alinsangas, SSP. 365 Days with the Lord 2015, October 18 – Sunday Reflections).

LET US SERVE HUMBLY AND GENEROUSLY… AND THE LORD WILL BLESS US ABUNDANTLY…

(By Fr. Julius C. Lupot)