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| October 21, 2012 |
Would you rather be the leader or
a follower, take first place or the last? Two of Jesus' disciples boldly
asked Jesus to promote them to first place in his kingdom. The desire for
greatness seems to be inbred in all of us. Who wants to be last or least? Jesus
did the unthinkable – he reversed the order to true greatness and glory. If we
want to be first and great, then we must place ourselves at the disposal of
others by putting their interests first and by taking on their cares and
concerns as if they were our own. Jesus wedded authority with unconditional
love and service with total sacrifice – the willing sacrifice of one's life for
the sake of another. Authority without sacrificial love is brutish and
self-serving. Jesus also used stark language to explain what kind of sacrifice
he had in mind. His disciples must drink his cup if they expect to reign with
him in his kingdom. The cup he had in mind was a bitter one involving
crucifixion – laying down one's life even to the point of shedding one's blood
for the sake of Christ.
What kind of cup does
the Lord have in mind for each one of us? For some disciples such a cup entails
physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom – the shedding of
one's blood for the sake of Christ's name. But for many of us, it entails the
long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices,
disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations. The Lord has offered
his life for our sake and he calls us to freely offer our lives in a daily
sacrifice of love and service for others. What makes such sacrifice a joy
rather than a burden is love – the kind of love which has power to transform
and change our lives and the lives of those around us. Paul the Apostle tells
us that this "love" is a pure gift "which God has poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us"
(Romans 5:5). If we allow God's love to transform our lives, then no sacrifice
will be too great or hard to make.
On a social note....OKTOBERFEST OCT. 27/ RESETTLEMENT BAZAAR
NOV. 3
Please remember that
the Knights of Columbus Oktoberfest is October 27th. Tickets are
available after each Mass and at the office during the week. There will be
food, refreshments and authentic German music.
We are still in need
of help and vendors for our resettlement Christmas bazaar and craft sale on
November 3rd. Please plan to attend this event and support our
resettlement programme.
I wish you all a
great week!
Fr. Phil
