With the third prediction of his passion as background, Jesus once more teaches his community of disciples the meaning of true greatness. James and John wanted to be so closely united with Jesus that they would drink his cup and be baptized in his baptism so that they can sit, one at his right, the other at his left. The other disciples, by their indignation at the brothers, showed that they too wanted to have the privilege that the brothers asked for themselves. But Jesus had other things in mind. Reiterating what he has told them before, he now makes it clear what he meant by being last and servant of all: to be like the Suffering Servant. Read this article and use the following as your guide.
1. Jesus had already told his disciples that power and authority should not characterize leadership in his community. Instead the greatest should be the last and servant of all. In today's gospel reading, Jesus once more emphasizes this aspect of Christian leadership.
Reflect. In your community, what sort of leadership-model is followed? Does your community enable its members to put their talents at the service of all? Does your community "promote" its members according to the criteria given by Jesus?
2. Here, as in no other place in the gospel of Mark does Jesus explicitly put as an example of leadership himself: "who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as ransom for all." In this passage too, he alludes to the kind of self-emptying that he requires from anyone who wishes to be of service to all -- even to the point of death.
Reflect: Jesus illustrated this kind of service during the Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples. On that occassion, he said: "If I whom you call "Master" and "Lord" have washed your feet, then you too should wash one another's feet. (Jn 13:14)". How do you -- in your community -- wash one another's feet?
3. In his message for Mission Sunday 2009, the Pope writes:
(T)he whole of humanity has the radical vocation to return to its source, to return to God, since in Him alone can it find fulfilment through the restoration of all things in Christ. Dispersion, multiplicity, conflict and enmity will be healed and reconciled through the blood of the Cross and led back to unity.
This new beginning can already be seen in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, who draws all things to himself, renewing them and enabling them to share in the eternal joy of God. The future of the new creation is already shining in our world and, despite contradictions and suffering, it enkindles hope for new life. The Church's mission is to spread hope "contagiously" among all peoples. This is why Christ calls, justifies, sanctifies and sends his disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God, so that all nations may become the People of God. It is only in this mission that the true journey of humanity is understood and attested. The universal mission should become a fundamental constant in the life of the Church. Proclamation of the Gospel must be for us, as it was for the Apostle Paul, a primary and unavoidable duty.
Reflect. "Proclamation of the Gospel must be for us, as it was for the Apostle Paul, a primary and unavoidable duty" When we evangelize -- through silent witnessing, verbal witnessing, and "making" other witnesses -- we are putting ourselves at the service not only of the Church but also of humanity. In what ways is your community (or cell group) putting itself at the service of humanity?
