Service as antidote to Power

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 20:17-28*

*First Reading : Jer 18:18-20*

*Service as antidote to Power*

*1) Two things are Highlighted*

The Gospel of the day presents to us two important things 

The disciples of Jesus are immersed in the power struggle 

On the other hand Jesus is highlighting the imp of service and servant leadership 

So power and service are the two important things which are highlighted in today's Gospel

*2) The power struggle concept of the Disciples*

Particularly the mother of the sons of Zebedee, making a request with Jesus for the powerful positions for her sons

James and John are the two sons of Zebedee, who wanted to have powerful positions. They influence Jesus through their mother 

This attitude of these two, also created some kind of uneasiness with other 10, since they too wanted to have powerful position in the kingdom of Jesus  

*3) The Service Model of Jesus*

As to the power struggle concept of the disciples, Jesus presents to them a diffent kind and quite opposite model, that is, Service Model 

This service model has the following aspects in it 

*Drinking of Chalice* It means, one is ready to face trails and tribulations, ready to make sacrifices, evrn ready to sacrifice ones life 

*Unity* Service model always goes with Unity. That's why Jesus says, 

*But it shall not be so among you.* Division is dangerous for service model 

*servant and Slave attitude* In the service model, the attitude of Servant and slave is very important. Such an attitude makes a person to remain humble and to offer oneself completely for the mission of service 

*4) Service as antidote for Power Struggle*

From today's Gospel it is very clear that, Jesus' service model is a very powerful antidote for power struggle concept

In fact Jesus completely followed the servant and service model, which really challenged the power struggle attitude of the disciples 

Jesus clearly showed that the kingdom of God can be established only with service model and not with the power struggle model

Power struggle model destroys everything, where as service model builds everything 

*5) Need a strong will power*

Basically human nature is dominated by the power struggle attitude 

That's why we see this problem even among the disciples of Jesus 

To counter act such an attitude we need a strong will power for servant leadership and service model 

People like, Mother Theresa, Fr Stan Swamy, Sr Rani Maria, Nelson Mandela have done it, with their strong convictions for servant leadership and service model 

*6) What is my attitude?* 

Power and Service are the two important things which we see through out the Bible 

Wars have taken place between these 

Destruction and slavery have taken place because of this 

One can't easily run away from these concepts 

Either one will become slave of power or Hero of service 

It all depends on us. 

Am I caught up in the atmosphere of  power struggle? 

As a disciple of Jesus am I convinced of the servant model and service model? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*