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Day 1
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Theme: Changed
by the Servant Christ
Text: The Son of Man came to serve (cf. Mk 10:45) |
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Readings
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Zech 9:9-10
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A king righteous and victorious –
and humble
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Ps 131
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My heart is not proud
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Rom 12:3-8
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We have different gifts with which
to serve
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Mk 10:42-45
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The Son of Man came to serve
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Commentary
The coming of the Messiah and His
victory were accomplished through service. Jesus wants a spirit of service to
fill the hearts of His followers as well. He teaches us that true greatness
consists in serving God and one’s neighbour. Christ gives us the courage to
discover that He is the one for whom to serve is to reign – as an early
Christian saying has it.
Zechariah’s prophecy concerning a
victorious and humble King was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He, the King of
Peace, comes to his own, to Jerusalem – the City of Peace. He does not conquer
it by deceit or violence, but by gentleness and humility.
Psalm 131 briefly but eloquently
describes the state of spiritual peace which is the fruit of humility. The
picture of a mother and child is a sign of God’s tender love and of trust in
God, to which the entire community of believers is called.
Paul the apostle challenges us to
make a sober and humble assessment of ourselves and to discover our own
abilities. While we have a diversity of gifts we are one body in Christ. In our
divisions each of our traditions has been endowed by the Lord with gifts that
we are called to place at the service of others.
For the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mk 10.45). By His service, Christ redeemed our refusal to
serve God. He became an example for repairing all relations between people: Whoever
wishes to become great among you must be your servant – those are the new
standards of greatness and priority.
In the Letter to the Romans, Paul
reminds us that the diverse gifts given to us are for service: prophecy,
ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership and compassion. In our
diversity we are always one body in Christ, and members of one another. The use
of our diverse gifts in common service to humanity makes visible our unity in
Christ. The joint action of Christians for the benefit of humanity, to combat
poverty and ignorance, defend the oppressed, to be concerned about peace and to
preserve life, develop science, culture and art are an expression of the
practical ecumenism which the Church and the world badly need. The imitation of
Christ the Servant provides eloquent testimony to the Gospel, moving not only
minds, but also hearts. Such common service is a sign of the coming Kingdom of
God – the kingdom of the Servant Christ.
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, by
travelling the royal road of service your Son leads us from the arrogance of
our disobedience to humility of heart. Unite us to one another by your Holy
Spirit, so that through service to our sisters and brothers, Your true countenance
may be revealed; You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Questions for reflection
- What opportunities for service are most threatened by pride and arrogance?
- What should be done to ensure that all Christian ministries are better experienced as service?
- In our community, what can Christians of different traditions do better together than in isolation to reveal the Servant Christ?
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