1. In a world of stars and stripes, titles and accolades, we have been told what matters is not where you sit, but how you serve. Not what you know but how much you impart; not what you teach, but how much you tithe (give).
2. The breakfast you make early in the morning so the children and your spouse can go to work or school is a more sacred and admirable mission than that of the missionaries who go out into other lands.
3. Your example, your practice of faith and your presence is as much a witness and missionary activity as the preaching of the gospel to the gentiles.
4. The daily cup of sacrifice and hardship, thankless chores, patient endurance, silent tears and unspoken grief are all part of the price of being a disciple.
5. Today, we must make a choice from "working long and hard hours at jobs we hate in order to make money to buy things we don't need to please people we don't like" to balance work and life, faith and wellness and achievement and enjoyment.
T.K.
Michel DeVerteuil
Textual Comments
There are two distinct sections in this passage:
– verses 35 to 40: the encounter between Jesus and the sons of Zebedee; and
– verses 41 to 45: his teaching on service.
The dialogue wit the sons of Zebedee is very dramatic, with plenty of significant details. As usual with gospel stories, fee free to focus either on Jesus or on the people who come to him.
James and John are typical of young, enthusiastic followers of any cause – very ambitious, but also very committed and ready for everything. Note how they are confident: they can accept the challenges, even if they do not see clearly what they entail.
The portrayal of Jesus is very touching: his respect for the young men, the way he takes them seriously, the way he challenges them and reassures them simultaneously. His humility is remarkable as he disclaims the authority to give final rewards.
As in last week’s passage, Jesus is the model for civil as well as religious leaders, and the two brothers can be the church community or the nation.
Verse 45 is very deep and can be read by itself. Enter into the metaphor of the ransom, asking yourself how this ancient practice of buying back slaves is lived today when people give themselves to the work of human liberation, with the life of Jesus as the model.
Scriptural Reflection
Lord, we remember with gratitude the spiritual journey we have made.
At first we were like the sons of Zebedee,
very anxious to become loyal and to do great things for you.
Truly we did not know what we were asking.
You did not reject us, but rather guided us gently,– some of us through prayer and bible reading;
– others through a guide who was Jesus for us.
You made us understand that spiritual growth
is setting out on the path of Jesus,
drinking whatever cup of suffering you send us,
and entering deep waters as he did.
As the challenge came, we said “Yes”,
and you certainly took us at our word.
Today we find that we are not interested in success of any kind.
We know that sitting at your right hand or at your left in your glory
is not something that any one can give us,
or that we can earn for ourselves,
and we leave that to you to allot to whoever you will.
Lord, we thank you for young people,
especially those of us who work with youth in schools,
church communities or families.
We thank you for their enthusiasm and their great desires.
Don’t let us become cynical
just because they do not know what they are asking.
Help us rather to be like Jesus and walk with them,
challenging them, but also reassuring them
that they can in fact make the sacrifices which their desires imply.
Lord, leaders are afraid to ask sacrifices of their people;
they like to promise great rewards in some future kingdom
even though these rewards are not theirs to give.
We pray that they may be like Jesus, honest with their people.But of course, if they ask a sacrifice of their followers,
they must go that way themselves,
the cup they ask others to drink
must be one they drink themselves,
and if they ask others to receive a baptism
it should be one they have received themselves.
Lord, forgive us that as a church
we promise people heavenly rewards if they fulfil certain requirements.
Remind us that places at your right hand or your left
are not ours to give
but belong to those to whom they have been allotted.
We would like to do it the easy way,
giving handouts or making nice speeches.
But Jesus has shown us that this kind of work is always costly.
It is like the ancient practice of buying back salves,
except that for us the money we have to put out is our own selves,
our security and our need to be successful,
allowing ourselves to be hurt and in that way healing the hurts of others and helping them go free.
Lord, we remember the time that jealousy arose in our church community,
our parish council, the choir, the youth group,
some trying to get places of honour and others indignant with them.
Then you sent someone who called us together
and showed us how we were no different from the other rulers in our society,
or other important people who like to make their authority felt.
We realised at that moment that this should never happen among us
because for us to be great or important is to be at the service of all.
Lord, we pray for those who are about to get married,
that they may understand what they are asking of each other,
which is that whatever cup of suffering one has to drink
the other must drink it too,
and whatever baptism life demands of one
the other must enter into that baptism too.
*************************************
Thomas O’Loughlin
Introduction to the Celebration
Today we reflect on how Jesus came among us. He came as the one sent by the Father to bring us new life, yet he came among us as seeking to serve rather than to be served. We reflect also that for us, his followers, his way of life sets us a pattern for how we should live. In a world filled with the suffering caused by power struggles Jesus reminds us that our community here must display a different way of being human: ‘Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be servant of all.’Homily Notes
1. The values of the kingdom are exactly opposite to those of the world of power politics, social climbing, and vain display. We all know this, yet generations come and generations go by, and we still import titles of honour, displays of prestige, and even the jargon of imperial Rome, the cursus honorum, into the church. The pope may take the title ‘servant of the servants’, but a look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the papal ceremonies suggests that the need for a power display outweighs theology. Bishops are to be servants, but ‘for the people’s sake’ they wear the last remnants of imperial purple. Clergy are called to take on extra ministry over and above the ministry of the baptised, but in exchange they get a range of titles all suitably graded so that everyone from a newly ordained deacon to Vicar General knows exactly which rung each is on. Reading this Gospel should make us all mightily embarrassed!
2. When John in his gospel wanted to convey the same message lie did not have a little teaching scene like this one we read today; rather he had Jesus get up and wash the feet of his disciples with all the messiness and embarrassment that goes with such an act of service. Moreover, we know that foot washing was one of the ways that Christians in the early churches learned how they should see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ (e.g. 1 Tim 5:10). Indeed, it survived as a rite used regularly in some monasteries and by bishops on Holy Thursday. Now it has a formal place in the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday — although it is still such a shocking message that it is always in danger of being simply skipped or turned into a token affair.3. Given that the gospel should make any cleric uncomfortable, and anything one says about the gospel is likely to be taken as hypocritical self-justification, a better commentary on the gospel is to actually perform the action Jesus carried out and wished us to carry out in imitation of him.
Therefore, introduce the actual practice of foot washing —many in any average congregation will never have seen it or will not remember it from Holy Thursday — and then wash the feet of a group of the community.
Meanwhile, have these words from John read as a commentary on the action taking place: When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them’ On 13:12-17). Then, while the action of foot washing continues, have the shorter form of today’s gospel re-read.
4. Apart from one action being worth several thousand words, by making a community more familiar with the action of foot washing one is enriching the repertoire of the community’s liturgical experience and helping the community appreciate the action on Holy Thursday more fully.Many people grumble that no matter how short a homily is, it is still too long — words have become cheap. An action like foot washing will make people sit up — no doubt you reading this think the idea daunting (so too did St Peter) —and hear today’s gospel on its second reading in a way they did not when it was first read!
**********************************
Sean Goan
Gospel
The story of the apostles James and John continues with the theme of discipleship in this section of Mark. To appreciate what unfolds here it is important to remember that in the two chapters before this Jesus has consistently challenged his disciples with the core values of the kingdom.
They are to become like children, like servants; they are to give up all attachments; they are to be willing to take up their cross and follow and all this in the context of three predictions of the passion. So it is with that backdrop that James and John coming looking for special status in Jesus’ future glory. The extent of their complete incomprehension is baffling but Jesus shows great patience with them and points out that they will indeed share his future but the glory they seek is not his to give.
It would be heartening to think that the other ten were annoyed with James and John for the folly of their question but it might be more realistic to believe their concern was that they might have been upstaged by the other two. So when Jesus gathers them around him it is to tell them once again that in the kingdom of God the exercise of power bears no resemblance to what takes place in the world around them. True greatness lies in service and their model for this is Jesus himself.Reflection
It is a remarkable fact that in Mark, the first of the gospels, one of the consistent themes is that of the incomprehension of the disciples. Again and again they fail to understand what Jesus is talking about and they are also portrayed as being afraid to ask him. They are presented as somewhat self seeking and dull and at times even Jesus becomes exasperated with them (8:14-21). In choosing to present them this way, perhaps Mark was trying to tell us something: take time to recognise yourselves in this portrait of the disciples. The good news is indeed good but it challenges the values that we take for granted and are very much part and parcel of the world we live in. So when we choose the way of the gospel we should not be surprised that it involves a steep learning curve and we may well turn out to be slow learners!
*****
Andrew Greeley:
*****
From the Connections:
In today's Gospel account, the two sons of Zebedee – who, with Peter, make up Jesus’ inner circle – ask for the places of honor and influence when Jesus begins his reign. James and John proclaim their willingness to “drink the cup” of suffering and share in the “bath” or “baptism” of pain Jesus will experience (the Greek word used is baptizein, meaning to immerse oneself in an event or situation). Jesus finally tells them that the assigning of such honors is the prerogative of God the Father.
Most readers share the other disciples’ indignation at the incredible nerve of James and John to make such a request (Matthew, in his Gospel, casts the two brothers in a better light by having their mother make the request – Matthew 20: 20.) Jesus calls the disciples together to try again to make them understand that he calls them to greatness through service. Jesus’ admonition to them is almost a pleading: If you really understand me and what I am about, if you really want to be my disciple, if you really seek to be worthy of my name, then you must see the world differently and respond to its challenges with a very different set of values. The world may try to justify vengeance rather than forgiveness, to glorify self-preservation over selflessness, to insist on preserving the system and convention for the sake of compassion and justice – but it cannot be that way with you.
Jesus’ admonition – “It shall not be so among you” – is perhaps the greatest challenge of the Gospel, calling us not to accept “business as usual,” not to accept injustice and estrangement as “the way things are,” not to justify our flexible morals and ethics with the mantra “everybody does it.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus poses the challenge: Can you drink the cup I will drink? Can you immerse yourself in my baptism? Our first inclination is to say, No, Lord, we can’t. It’s more than we can do. What Jesus asks us to take on is not easy: his life of humble service, his emptying himself of his own needs and wants for the sake of others. But there is also a promise here: that if we resolve to try to imitate Jesus’ compassion, if we seek what is right and good and just, if we are motivated by generosity of heart, then the grace of God’s wisdom and strength will be ours, the Spirit of God’s compassion and mercy will be upon us.
Discipleship calls us to a sense of gratitude for what we have received from God and a commitment to servanthood, putting the lives God has given to us to the service of others, in imitation of his Christ.
Authentic faith is centered in humility – humility that begins with valuing life as a gift from God, a gift we have received only through God’s mysterious love, not through anything we have done to deserve it.
The cool kids intimidated us. We wanted to be cool, too — but, try as we might, “cool” was not in our DNA. During that important rite of passage called adolescence, we all have our fundamental values tested — except the cool kids. They lived in the moment, in the now. While the rest of us suffered through the vulnerability and insecurity of those difficult years of junior high and high school, the cool kids were too in control to waste time on such insecurities.
Or so we thought.
In our later years, when the old gang gets together, we see that everyone has done pretty well, leading happy and productive lives; we made it OK.
Except for the cool kid.
The cool kid may have enjoyed a little success, but discovered that attitude alone will not get you through adulthood, that it’s what you learn after you know it all that’s important. During the reunion, the cool kid is once again the life of the party; the cool kid’s time has returned — the moment with the gang. We smile, laugh at the cool kid’s antics, and understand.
We learned more than we realized from the “cool” kid.
******
Fr. Jude Botelho:
Today's first reading from the fourth servant song of the prophet Isaiah portrays the picture of the just man, the Suffering Servant of Yahweh, who is ready to carry the burden of others and endure pain and hardship for others' sake. The Suffering Servant ideal placed before us is the challenge put to all people who claim to be disciples of the Master. Our idea of discipleship is one of privilege, one of power, one of influence, one of being close to the decision maker. God's idea of leadership is one who is ready to bear the burden of others, one who can take responsibility not only for his own deeds but the deeds of others as well, and to do so without complaint. Instead of playing the boss, instead of claiming 'I am the head so you have to do as I say!' can I be the leader who shoulders the burdens of others?
Oh God, make me like your Christ!
In his book 'Famous Life Decisions', Cecil Northcott speaks of the great Japanese Christian Kagawa, who when he first heard about the life of Jesus, cried out, "O God make me like your Christ." To be more like Christ, Kagawa left a comfortable home and went to live in the slums of Tokyo. There he shared himself and his possessions with whoever needed help. Northcott says Kagawa once gave away all his clothing. He was left standing in only a tattered kimono. William Barclay gives us an insight into the heart and mind of Kagawa when he quotes the great man as saying: "God dwells among the lowliest of men. He is there with the beggars, he is among the sick, he stands with the unemployed. Therefore, let him who would meet God visit the prison cell before going to the temple. Before he goes to the Church let him visit the hospital. Before he reads the bible let him help the beggar."
Mark Link in 'Sunday Homilies'
In today's Gospel we see Jesus with his disciples, in fact alone with James and John, brothers of the Zebedee clan. When Jesus asks them what they want they quickly blurt out what is uppermost in their mind. "Grant us to sit one at your right and one at your left in your glory." Jesus patiently teaches them once again what his kingdom is all about. "I cannot promise you the crown, I cannot promise you the glory." Truly, John and James did not know what they were in for. In fact they thought, since they had given up something to follow him, they should be rewarded. Our motivation spoils the best of our actions and even in the following of Jesus we look for recognition, honour, position just as one would get recognition from secular organizations for services rendered. To follow Jesus is to be the Suffering Servant of Yahweh, who humbly carries the burdens of others expecting nothing in return. James and John had said 'Yes' to Jesus' query about whether they were ready to drink of the cup. "You will drink of the cup." Jesus assured them, and drink they did later on, though they did not realize the implications at that time. Are we truly disciples of the Master? Do we want to follow Jesus or do we feel He is asking too much of us? The mission of Jesus has to be continued by you and me. Are we ready? If we want to be great in God's kingdom, there is a price to be paid.
Greatness at What Price
If we look at the enduring examples of greatness, we see that the Lord is right. Alexander was a remarkable leader because he stood by his men in battle. Albert the Great was an intellectual giant because he disciplined himself to study. Beethoven was a master composer because he struggled long hours to get the right note. Martin Luther was a great reformer because he persisted in spite of opposition. Archbishop Romero was great because he was ready to stand against the corrupt leaders and die for his people. Mother Teresa was great because she was able to give up the security of her convent life and open herself to the poorest of the poor. Mahatma Gandhi was great because he worked for freedom for his people and died practicing non-violence as a form of protest.
Tell People the Time
A big clock in the Church's steeple struck the hour at noon with twelve loud and resonant gongs. At this a little wrist watch down below looked up at the big clock and protested, "You think you are bigger and better than us, don't you? I wish you could have a good look at yourself and see how clumsy your hands are and how course your voice is." Without showing annoyance, the big clock calmly said to the wrist watch, "Why don't you come up here, little brother, because I have something to show you." And that's just what the wrist watch did -he climbed the stairs to the steeple to meet the big clock. Once up there, the big clock said to the wrist watch, "Little brother, the man down there wants to know the time. Can you please tell it to him?" "You know I couldn't do that" answered the wrist watch sheepishly. "I know you can't, but I can." explained the big clock. "But when you are down there, you can tell him the time, so that your master does not need to look up to me. But for those who do not have a wrist watch, I am the only one they can turn to. So little brother remember this - each of us have a job to do; to tell people the time. You do it in your way, and I do it in mine. And when we do that, we show people that we are equal and brothers as well."
Anonymous
Converting or sharing the best?
In the recent past I read that Mother Teresa of Kolkata was once summoned to court on a trumped charge that she was converting children in her care to the catholic faith. Standing before the judge, she was asked if that was true. Turning to one of her Sisters, who were cradling a little baby in her arms, Mother Teresa asked for the infant. Then turning to the judge she replied: "Your honour, I picked this little baby from the garbage bin. I don't know the religion of the family into which this innocent infant was born, nor do I know the language that its parents speak. All that I do is that I give this child my love, my time, my care, my food and the best thing that I have in my life -my faith in Christ Jesus. Can't I give this child the best that I have in life?" The case was dismissed in favour of Mother Teresa.
James Valladares in 'Your Words, O Lord, Are Spirit, and They Are Life'
Power from Above
In 1764 James Watt invented the steam engine and steam power was used for the first time to drive machinery. In 1830 George Stephenson built the famous locomotive called the 'Rocket' which could carry heavy loads and move faster. It was the first real railway engine. The first motor car was built by Daimler in 1891 using petrol power to run on roads. The year 1903 opened the era of air flights, again with engines powered by petrol. Now space flights have become possible with power produced by other sources including liquid oxygen. But there is a greater power which is mightier than these powers -the power of God. This power lives in men empowering them to live victorious lives even in this present world. The clay vessels are made into vessels of glory driven by His power for the Master's use.
Daniel Sunderaraj in 'Manna for the Soul'
To serve with love
A boy was consistently coming home late from school. There was no good reason for his tardiness, and no amount of discussion seemed to help. Finally, in desperation, the boy's father sat him down and said: "The next time you come late from school you are going to be given bread and water for your supper -and nothing else. Is that perfectly clear son?" The boy looked straight into his father's eyes and nodded. He understood perfectly. A few days later the boy came home even later than usual. That night however, when they sat down together at the table there was only a single slice of bread in his plate and a glass of water. His father's and mother's plates were full of food. The father waited for the full impact to sink in, then, quietly took the boy's plate and placed it in front of himself. He took his own plate and put it in front of the boy. The boy understood what his father was doing. His father was taking upon himself the punishment that he, the boy, had brought upon himself by his own delinquent behaviour. Years later the boy recalled the incident and said: "All my life I've known what God is like by what my father did that night." "The Son of Man came to give his life to redeem many people."
J. Allan Peterson in 'Leadership' Magazine
Shining Example
The following story is told about John Ruskin, the 18th century English writer, when he was quite old. He was visiting with a friend, and he was standing looking out the front window of the house. It was night-time, and the lamp-lighter was lighting the street lamps. From the window one could see only the lamps that were being lit, and the light the lamp-lighter was carrying from one lamp to another. The lamp-lighter himself could not be seen. Ruskin remarked that the lamp-lighter was a good example of the genuine Christian. His way was clearly lit by the lights he lit, and the light he kept burning, even though he himself may not be known or seen. At the beginning of the gospel, Jesus said that He was the light that had come into the world. Today, he tells us that we are to become that light for others...
Jack Mc Ardle in 'And that's the Gospel Truth'
Inflated Ego
Some American tourists one day visited the home of Beethoven. A young woman among them sat down at the great composer's piano and began to play his Moonlight Sonata. After she had finished, she turned to the old caretaker and said: "I presume a great many musicians visit this place every year." "Yes," he replied. "Paderewski was here last year." "And did he play on Beethoven's piano?" "No," he said, "he wasn't worthy."
Anonymous
***
Jesus says, I am the narrow gate. There's no quick way in. There's no shortcut. If he wasn't the Christ himself already, he'd be the perfect patron saint of tollgates.
David Beckett, EZ-Pass
In 1878, when the Salvation Army was really beginning to make its mark, men and women from all over the world began to enlist. A man who had once dreamed of becoming a bishop in another denomination crossed the Atlantic from America to England to enlist in the Salvation Army instead. His name was Samuel Brengle. Brengle left a fine pastorate to join William Booth's Army. At first General Booth accepted his services reluctantly and grudgingly. Booth said to Brengle, "You've been your own boss too long." So in order to instill humility in Brengle, he made him work by cleaning the boots of other trainees.
Discouraged, Brengle said to himself, "Have I followed my own fancy across the Atlantic in order to black boots?" Then, as in a vision, he saw Jesus bending over the feet of rough, uneducated fishermen. "Lord," he whispered, "you washed their feet; I will black their shoes."
Samuel Brengle went on to establish the Salvation Army in America. At the time of his death, the Salvation Army was thriving in both the United States and in Canada. Just before his death Brengle sent out a short memo to all of his top leaders. This memo had one single word written on it: "Others."
George Bernard Shaw was once asked in what generation he would have preferred to live. The witty Irishman replied: "The age of Napoleon, because then there was only one man who thought he was Napoleon."
From Fr. Tony Kadavil:
Then I awoke and realized that life as Service.
and, lo and behold,
I discovered that Service is Joy.
*********
1: “Sir, I am a Corporal!” During the
American Revolution, a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers
who were busy pulling out a horse carriage stuck in deep mud. Their officer was
shouting instructions to them while making no attempt to help. The stranger who
witnessed the scene asked the officer why he wasn’t helping. With great anger
and dignity, the officer replied, “Sir, I am a Corporal!” The stranger
dismounted from his horse and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers himself.
When the job was completed, he turned to the corporal and said, “Mr. Corporal,
next time you have a job like this and don’t have enough men to do it, inform
your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again.” Too late, the
proud Corporal recognized General Washington. — Washington understood that
those who aspire to greatness or rank first among others must serve the needs
of all. America’s first president found himself in a situation that invited him
to demonstrate servant leadership. Where did Washington learn such leadership
skills? I have no doubt he learned them here, in these words of Jesus: “Whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant.” The young
corporal had these words modeled for him by the man at the top. Jesus’
disciples, likewise, receive from their leader a picture of servanthood. Fr.
Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
2: True Greatness: Nobel
prizes are awarded every year in literature, economics, and science, among
others. People who have made outstanding contributions in these fields are
given due recognition for their achieved greatness. Excellence is recognized in
the sports world, too. For example, when Pete Rose surpassed Ty Cobb’s record
number of hits in 1985, he assured himself a place in baseball’s Hall of Fame.
— We all aspire to greatness in some form or another. It is a desire which our
Lord addresses in today’s Gospel. But if we look deeper into enduring examples
of greatness, we see that the Lord is right. Alexander the Great was a
remarkable leader because he stood by his men in battle. Albert the Great was
an intellectual giant because he disciplined himself for study. Beethoven was a
master composer because he struggled long hours to get the right note. (Albert
Cylwicki in His Word Resounds; quoted by Fr. Botelho.) Fr.
Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
3: “I discovered that Service is Joy”: It
may sound unbelievable, but it is true that Asia’s first Nobel Prize winner in
Literature (1913), Rabindranath Tagore, was behind the three great national
anthems of three nations, viz. Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. He was also the
first non-Westerner to win the
Nobel Prize in literature. He did so in 1913. He wrote this short poem:
I slept and dreamt that
life was Joy;
Then I awoke and realized
that life was Service.
And then I went to work – and, lo
and behold, I discovered that
Service is Joy. —
Today’s Gospel teaches us that true happiness comes from
surrendering ourselves completely in humble service to God through Christ. And
all we need is a servant’s heart, mind, eyes, and touch. So, “How’s Your
Serve?” Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
4: Support your senator doing free service:
A priest went into a Washington, D. C. barber shop for a haircut. When
the barber finished, the priest asked him what the charge was and the barber
responded, “No charge, Father, you are serving the Lord and I consider my
service rendered to you as a service to the Lord.” The next morning when
the barber arrived at his shop he found at his front door a stack of usable
Christmas cards and a note of thanks from the priest. A few days later, a
police officer went to the same barber for a haircut. When he went to
pay, the barber said, “No charge, officer. I consider it a service to our
community because you serve our community.” The next morning when the
barber arrived at his shop there were a dozen donuts at the front door and a
note of thanks from the policeman. A few days after this an influential
senator came in for a haircut. “No charge, Senator, I consider it a
service to my country.” The next morning when the barber arrived at his
shop there were two congressmen waiting for their chance for the barber’s free
service, carrying a note of thanks from the Senator!
5: Good old days: George Bernard
Shaw was once asked in what generation he would have preferred to live. The
witty Irishman replied: “The age of Napoleon, because then there was only one
man who thought he was Napoleon.
32- Additional anecdotes:
1) NBA superstar on service: Nearly
a decade after leaving professional basketball, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar decided to
return to the sport he loved, by accepting a coaching position with the
Alchesay Falcons – a high-school team of mostly White Mountain Apaches.
As an African American among Native Americans, Abdul-Jabbar had a great deal to
learn about these people. He discovered surprising cultural traditions
that made it difficult for him to coach them, such as the Indian discomfort at
being singled out for criticism as well as their extreme sensitivity. By
working with these people, however, and sacrificing his time and talents,
Abdul-Jabbar learned to appreciate them and form them into a super team.
He did not try to lord it over them as an NBA superstar. Instead,
he served them. In the end, he may have learned more than he actually
taught. He became a good example of servant leadership. Fr.
Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
2) Servant leader in a serving community: In
his book, Dr. George Burns’ Prescription For Happiness: Buy
Two Books and Call Me in the Morning, George Burns writes: “If you were to
go around asking people what would make them happier, you’d get answers like a
new car, a bigger house, a raise in pay, winning a lottery, a face-lift, more
kids, less kids, a new restaurant to go to. Probably not one in a hundred would
say a chance to help people. And yet that may bring the most happiness of all.
I don’t know Dr. Jonas Salk, but after what he’s done for us with his polio
vaccine, if he isn’t happy, he should have that brilliant head of his examined.
Of course, not all of us can do what he did. I know I can’t do what he did; he
beat me to it. But the point is, it doesn’t have to be anything that
extraordinary. It can be working for a worthy cause, performing a needed
service, or just doing something that helps another person.” [George
Burns, Dr. George Burns’ Prescription for Happiness, (New York, NY,
USA: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 1984), p. 141] — We need lots of
people like those George Burns was describing, Dr. Salk and others like him who
saw a need and tried to fill it. They were living a servant life. In our passage
of Scripture for today, we find James and John wanting to race ahead of the
others and jump into prime positions in the kingdom of God. But Jesus saw
through their little ploy. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
3) Methodist & Baptist “servant-leader
politics”: A Methodist pastor once wrote about power and politics
in his denomination. Methodist preachers, he notes, are under the care of a
bishop. Bishops, in turn, are Methodist preachers who are elected by fellow
Methodist preachers after an extensive campaign for the office in which the
candidate tries not to be caught campaigning. As he observes, “It is a
long-standing Methodist tradition that bishops must not appear to have sought
their office and, once elected, the new bishop must make a public declaration,
saying, ‘I didn’t seek this office, and I didn’t want it but, once the Lord
calls….'” Methodist preachers take all of this with a grain of salt, the same
way Baptist congregations have learned to be somewhat skeptical when one of
their preachers moves on to a better Church claiming, “I hate to leave this
Church and I would rather stay here, but the Lord calls.” Baptists note that
the Lord rarely calls someone out of one Church into another Church unless that
Church has a higher salary. Methodists have likewise noted that there have been
few preachers who, once they are elected bishop, turn the job down. [William H.
Willimon, And the Laugh Shall Be First (Nashville: Abingdon
Press, 1986), p. 94] Also found in William G. Carter, No Box
Seats in the Kingdom, CSS Publishing, with this ending: “Teacher, we want
you to put us on your right and on your left. But keep it quiet. Don’t make it
too obvious. Others may become offended that we asked first.” — By telling us
this story, Mark knows what you and I know: we are prone to the same desire for
privilege and protected status. We want a Jesus who will give us what we want,
a Lord who can shower a little power on us, a Savior who can make us better
than we are. (Fr. Kayala). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
4) “Here comes the man God sent us.” When
Doug Meland and his wife moved into a village of Brazil’s Fulnio Indians, he
was referred to as “the white man,” an uncomplimentary term. Other white men
had exploited the villagers, burned their homes, and robbed their lands. But
after the missionaries learned the language and began to help people with
medicine and in other ways, they began to call Doug, “the good white man.” And
when the Melands began adopting the customs of the people, the Fulnio spoke of
Doug as the “white Indian.” Then one day, as Doug was washing the dirty,
blood-caked foot of an injured boy, he heard a bystander say, “Who ever heard of
a white man washing an Indian’s foot? Certainly, this man is from God.” From
that day, whenever Doug entered an Indian home, it would be announced, “Here
comes the man God sent us.” [Stephen Olford, Committed to Christ and
His Church (1991, Paperback).] — That’s the secret of greatness:
Service. That’s also the chief characteristic of those who follow Jesus. “For
the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a
ransom for many” (Mark 10: 45; Matthew 20: 28). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
5) “Landing a man on the moon and returning him safely
to the earth.” In their influential book, Built to Last, James
Collins and Jerry Porras coined the term BHAG (pronounced “bee-hag”). BHAG
describes a bold, well-nigh impossible vision. BHAG stands for Big Hairy
Audacious Goal, B-H-A-G. Common sense would tell you that a BHAG would
intimidate many people and discourage them from trying. But BHAGs are
paradoxical, according to Collins and Porras. The idea of attempting the
impossible is so exciting and energizing that organizations usually experience
an upsurge of motivation when a leader presents a BHAG to his people. A great
example of a BHAG is the vision announced by President John F. Kennedy in a
speech on May 25, 1961: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to
achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and
returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will
be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration
of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.” [Linda
Watkins, God Just Showed Up (Chicago: Moody Bible Institute,
2001), pp. 127-136.] — JFK was challenging our country to put a man on the
moon, and we did! Jesus was trying to get the apostles to forget their petty
power games for a moment and focus on the Biggest, Hairiest, Most Audacious
Goal of all–to join with Jesus in redeeming this world. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
6) “Then there was only one man who thought he was
Napoleon.” George Bernard Shaw, the famous author, was once asked
in what generation he would have preferred to live. The witty Irishman replied:
“The age of Napoleon, because then there was only one man who thought he was
Napoleon.” — What James and John are asking for is nothing less than the power
to command the army of Israel. Rabbis and scholars at the time taught that the
Messiah when he came would be the new David, King of Israel. He would rule with
a mighty sword and vanquish all of Israel’s enemies. The disciples were under
the same impression. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
7) “I want to compete with IBM.” When
Michael Dell was in college, his parents drove up for a surprise visit. They
were concerned that Michael’s “hobby”–building computers in his dorm room–was
distracting him from his studies. His father demanded that he get more serious
about his college work, asking Michael, “What do you want to do with your
life?” And the young college student infuriated his dad by replying, “I want to
compete with IBM.” At the time, IBM was the dominant computer company in the
world. Not long after that, Michael Dell dropped out of college and raised the
capital to start his own computer business. By 1999, ten years after Michael
Dell began his company, Dell Computers overtook IBM as the nation’s largest
seller of personal computers. [John Eliot, Ph.D., Overachievement (New
York: Portfolio, 2004), pp. 38-40.] — If you’re going to dream, why not dream
big? It’s true. Our dreams are too small. That was the problem with James and
John in today’s Gospel. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
8) “Neither of us got our wish.” :
Dwight David Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States says that when he
was a small boy in Kansas, he went fishing with a friend of his. Young
Eisenhower confided to his friend that his dream was to be a major league
baseball player one day. Interestingly, Eisenhower’s friend said that his dream
was to be President of the United States. Eisenhower said wistfully, “Neither
of us got our wish.” (Play Ball, Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Publishing.)
Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
9) Determined Dreamer: In 1976,
motivational speaker Steve Chandler interviewed an aspiring young actor named
Arnold Swarzenegger. Swarzenegger was promoting his first film. “Now that you
have retired from body-building,” Chandler asked him, “what are you going to do
next?” With a calm voice, Arnold Swarzenegger said, “I’m going to be the No. 1
box office star in all of Hollywood.” Chandler said he tried not to show his
amusement. Swarzenegger’s first attempt at movies hadn’t shown much promise,
and his Austrian accent and monstrous build didn’t suggest instant acceptance
by audiences. “It’s the same process I used in body-building.” Schwarzenegger
went on to explain. “What you do is create a vision of who you want to be, and
then live into the picture, as if it were already true.” “It sounded
ridiculously simple,” says Steve Chandler, “Too simple to mean anything. But I
wrote it down and never forgot it.” [Steve Chandler, 100 Ways to
Motivate Yourself (Franklin Lakes, NJ: The Career Press, 2004), p.
22.] — I wonder what Chandler would have thought if Arnold had said his dream
was to become governor of California. Most of us at one time or another have
had our dreams. Some of those dreams were childish. Many were unrealistic.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee had dreams, ambitions. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
10) Carrot flight to heaven: Rev.
Anthony DeMello S. J. shares this tale: An old woman was dying. While
examining her records, the Heavenly court could not find a single act of
charity performed by her except for a carrot she had once given to a starving
beggar. Such, however, was the power of a single deed of love that the
merciful Lord decreed that she be taken up to Heaven on the strength of that
carrot. The angel brought back the carrot from heaven and gave it to
her soul which was leaving her body. The moment she caught hold of the
carrot, it began to rise as if pulled by some invisible string, lifting her up
toward the sky. The soul of a beggar appeared. He clutched the hem
of her garment and was lifted with her; a third person caught hold of the
beggar’s foot and was lifted too. Soon there was a long line of souls
being lifted up to Heaven by that carrot. And, strange as it may seem, the
woman did not feel the weight of all those people who held onto her. In fact,
since she was looking Heavenward, she did not even see them. Higher and
higher they rose until they almost reached the Heavenly gates. That was
when the woman looked back to catch a last glimpse of the earth and saw this
whole train of people behind her. She was indignant! She gave an
imperious wave of her hand and shouted, “Off! Off, all of you! This
carrot is mine!” In making her proud gesture, she let go of the carrot for
a moment – and down she fell with the entire train. — De Mello concludes:
There is only one cause for every evil on earth: the “’This is mine!’
attitude!” Today’s Gospel describes how Jesus handled greed in
two disciples. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
11) “I wish every child could say the same.” In
his book, Hide or Seek, James Dobson tells of a time when John
McKay, the great football coach at the University of Southern California, was
interviewed on television, and the subject of his son’s athletic talent was
raised. Son John was a successful player on his dad’s team. Coach McKay was
asked to comment on the pride that he felt over his son’s accomplishments on
the field. His answer was most impressive: “Yes, I’m pleased that John had a
good season last year. He does a fine job, and I’m proud of him. But I would be
just as proud if he had never played the game at all.’ Dr. Dobson goes to on to
say this: “Coach McKay was saying, in effect, that John’s football talent was
recognized and appreciated, but his human worth did not depend upon his ability
to play football. John’s place in his dad’s heart was secure, being independent
of his performance. I wish every child could say the same.” (quoted by William
J. Vamos, First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart, Indiana, “What Happens When
You’re Not Number One?”, Pulpit Digest, p. 2117). — In today’s
Gospel Jesus warns James and John that what is important is not higher
positions but willingness to do humble service. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
12) First Baptist , First Presbyterian, First
United Methodist Church: Drive through any town or suburb
in America and you will see signs announcing the names of local churches. There
will be a “First Presbyterian, a “First United Methodist,” a “First Baptist,” a
“First United Church of Christ.” Only after the “First” designation has been
snapped up do later churches start to shop around for a different name.
“Second” isn’t very popular. Better to be “Third” or “Fourth.” There is even
one “Twelfth Presbyterian Church” that I know of. Every Church wants to be
“First.” And if they can’t be first, most abandon being numbered altogether.
There is a Church in Dayton, Ohio, founded and pastored by the Rev. Dr. Daryl
Ward, that has taken a step out of that traditional lineup. They call themselves
“Omega Baptist Church.” What is “Omega?” “Omega” is the last letter of the
Greek alphabet. The Divine declaration of being “the Alpha and the Omega” is
another way of saying “the first and the last.” In other words, “Omega Baptist
Church” isn’t claiming “first” place for itself. It is putting itself at the
end of the line. It’s another way of calling itself the “Last Baptist Church.”
It appears to get the teaching in today’s Gospel. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
13) “Dad, did you realize that you treated the
president of the hospital and the janitor just alike?” James Moore
tells about a man named George. George was a peacemaker with a big heart and
wonderful sense of humor. George claimed he was, “so tenderhearted that he
cried at supermarket openings!” Everyone at Church loved George. He was
respected at the hospital where he worked. The reason so many people loved
George was because he was always kind and always respectful to everyone he met.
His children vividly remember the days George spent in the hospital before he
died. The president of the hospital paid him a visit. He and George talked like
they were old friends. A couple of minutes later one of the janitors came to
visit. And they spoke like they were old friends. When the janitor left, one of
George’s children said to him, “Dad, did you realize that you treated the
president of the hospital and the janitor just alike?” George smiled, chuckled
and said, “Let me ask you something — if the president left for two weeks and
the janitor left for two weeks, which one do you think would be missed the
most?” Then George called his children around his bed. “Let me show you
something I carry in my pocket all the time, even when I mow the lawn.” George
pulled out a pocket-sized cross and a marble. George said, “On the cross are
written these words, ‘God Loves You,’ and on the marble are these words, ‘Do
unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto You.’ The cross reminds me of how
deeply God loves me, and the marble reminds me of how deeply God wants me to
love others.” [James W. Moore, When All Else Fails (Nashville: Dimensions
for Living, 1993), p. 78.] — That’s A SERVANT’S HEART. That’s the Heart
Jesus wants us all to have as we seek to serve Him and become more and more
like Him each day by giving Him our heart. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
14) The lamp-lighter was a good example of
the genuine Christian: The following story is told about John
Ruskin, the 18th century English writer, when he was quite old.
He was visiting with a friend, and he was standing looking out the front window
of the house. It was night-time, and the lamp-lighter was lighting the
streetlamps. From the window one could see only the lamps that were being lit,
and the light the lamp-lighter was carrying from one lamp to another. The
lamp-lighter himself could not be seen. Ruskin remarked that the lamp-lighter
was a good example of the genuine Christian. His way was clearly lit by the
lights he lit, and the light he kept burning, even though he himself might not
be known or seen. — At the beginning of the Gospel, Jesus said that He was the
light that had come into the world. Today, Jesus tells us that we are to become
that Light for others…. (Jack Mc Ardle in And that’s the Gospel
Truth; quoted by Fr. Botelho). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
15) Incarnating God’s love: When the
great Japanese Christian Kagawa first heard about the life of Jesus, he cried
out, “O God, make me like your Christ!” To be more like Christ, Kagawa left a
comfortable home and went to live in the slums of Tokyo. There he shared
himself and his possessions with whoever needed help. In his book Famous
Life Decisions, Cecil Northcott says that Kagawa once gave away all his
clothing. He was left standing in only a tattered kimono. On another occasion,
even though deathly sick, he continued to preach to people in a rain, repeating
over and over: ‘God is love! God is love! God is love! Where love is, there is
God.” William Barclay gives us an insight into the heart and mind of Kagawa
when he quotes the great man as saying: “God dwells among the lowliest of men..
He is there with beggars. He is among the sick, He stands with the unemployed.
Therefore let him who would meet God visit the prison cell before going to the
temple. Before he goes to Church let him visit the hospital. Before the reads
his Bible let him help the beggar.” (Mark Link in Sunday Homilies; quoted
by Fr. Botelho). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
16) Muhammad Ali “the greatest.”
Muhammad Ali, the boxer, used to call himself “the greatest!” There was
something comical about his arrogance. Once he declared: “I
float like a butterfly, I sting like a bee.” The story is told
of him that once when he was on an airplane about to take off,
the flight steward said, “Sir, would you please fasten your seat belt?”
Muhammad Ali replied, “Superman doesn’t need a seat belt.” The
steward replied, “In that case, Superman doesn’t need an airplane to
fly.” — Today’s Gospel tells us of two of Jesus’
disciples who wanted to be supermen—to sit at the right hand and the left hand
of Jesus in the Messianic kingdom– to be the greatest, to be the first. Fr.
Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
17) Inflated Ego: Some
American tourists one day visited the home of Beethoven. A young woman among
them sat down at the great composer’s piano and began to play his Moonlight
Sonata. After she had finished, she turned to the old caretaker and said: “I
presume a great many musicians visit this place every year.” “Yes,” he replied.
“Paderewski was here last year.” “And did he play on Beethoven’s piano?” “No,”
he said, “he said he wasn’t worthy.” (Anonymous; quoted by Fr.
Botelho). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
18) Greatness at What Price: If
we look at the enduring examples of greatness, we see that the Lord is right.
Alexander was a remarkable leader because he stood by his men in battle. Albert
the Great was an intellectual giant because he disciplined himself to study.
Beethoven was a master composer because he struggled long hours to get the
right note. Martin Luther was a great reformer because he persisted in spite of
opposition. Archbishop Romero was great because he was ready to stand against
the corrupt leaders and die for his people. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother
Teresa) was great because she was able to give up the security of her convent
life and open herself to the poorest of the poor. Mahatma Gandhi was great
because he worked for freedom for his people and died practicing non-violence
as a form of protest. (Quoted by Fr. Botelho). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
19) Converting or sharing the best? In
the recent past I read that St. Teresa of Kolkata (Mother Teresa), was once
summoned to court on a trumped charge that she was converting children in her
care to the Catholic Faith. Standing before the judge, she was asked if that
was true. Turning to one of her Sisters, who were cradling a little baby in her
arms, Mother Teresa asked for the infant. Then turning to the judge, she
replied: “Your honor, I picked this little baby from the garbage bin. I don’t
know the religion of the family into which this innocent infant was born, nor
do I know the language that its parents speak. All that I do is that I give
this child my love, my time, my care, my food and the best thing that I have in
my life -my faith in Christ Jesus. Can’t I give this child the best that I have
in life?” The case was dismissed in favor of Mother Teresa. (James
Valladares in Your Words, O Lord, Are Spirit, and They Are Life; quoted
by Fr. Botelho). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
20) Power from Above: In 1764 James
Watt invented the steam engine, and steam power was used for the first time to
drive machinery. In 1830 George Stephenson built the famous locomotive called
the ‘Rocket’ which could carry heavy loads and move faster. It was the first
real railway engine. The first motor car was built by Daimler in 1891 using
petrol power to run on roads. The year 1903 opened the era of air flights,
again with engines powered by petrol. Now space flights have become possible
with power produced by other sources including liquid oxygen. — But there is a
greater power which is mightier than these powers, the power of God. This power
lives in men empowering them to live victorious lives even in this present
world. The clay vessels are made into vessels of glory driven by His power for
the Master’s use. (Daniel Sunderaraj in Manna for the Soul; quoted by
Fr. Botelho). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
21) To serve with love: A boy was
consistently coming home late from school. There was no good reason for his
tardiness, and no amount of discussion seemed to help. Finally, in desperation,
the boy’s father sat him down and said: “The next time you come late from
school you are going to be given bread and water for your supper -and nothing
else. Is that perfectly clear son?” The boy looked straight into his father’s
eyes and nodded. He understood perfectly. A few days later the boy came home
even later than usual. That night however, when they sat down together at the
table there was only a single slice of bread in his plate and a glass of water.
His father’s and mother’s plates were full of food. The father waited for the
full impact to sink in, then, quietly took the boy’s plate and placed it in
front of himself. He took his own plate and put it in front of the boy. The boy
understood what his father was doing. His father was taking upon himself the
punishment that he, the boy, had brought upon himself by his own delinquent
behavior. Years later the boy recalled the incident and said: “All my life I’ve
known what God is like by what my father did that night.” — “The Son of Man
came to give his life to redeem many people.” (J. Allan Peterson in
Leadership Magazine; quoted by Fr. Botelho). Fr.
Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
22) Caring Service and Its Impact: A
room-service waiter at a Marriott hotel learned that the sister of a guest had
just died. The waiter, named Charles, bought a sympathy card, had hotel staff
members sign it, and gave it to the distraught guest with a piece of hot apple
pie. “Mr. Marriott,” the guest later wrote to the president of Marriott Hotels,
“I’ll never meet you. And I don’t need to meet you. Because I met Charles. I
know what you stand for. … I want to assure you that as long as I live, I will
stay at your hotels. And I will tell my friends to stay at your hotels.” Roger
Dow and Susan Cook, “Turned On” (New York: Harper Business, 1996).
(Fr. Kayala). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
23) Operation Omega: Today’s Gospel
message
We should be the last to leave the side of a sick bed.
We should be the last to let a grieving spouse sit alone.
We should be the last to write off the children whose parents have failed them
or thrown them away.
We should be the last to ignore the homeless camped out along our streets.
We should be the last to allow hunger to gnaw at the bellies of our neighbors.
We should be the last to shrug our shoulders at ongoing environmental
degradation.
We should be the last to let despair grind down the powerless.
We should be the last to condone cruelty of any kind, to any living thing.
We should be the last to let human hatred triumph over Divine love.
Here are some suggestions of how you’d conduct Operation
Omega:
1) Purposely let others get in line before you.
2) Try to be the last in line. And pray for those who seem
most hurried and stressed because they’re not first in line.
3) If someone in back of you at the check-out line has fewer
items than you do, or even if they don’t but seem in a hurry, let them go in
front of you.
4) Let other cars “in” when they need an assist.
5) Measure your success at sporting events not by how many
points you can score, but how many assists you can generate. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
24) Who wears the authentic royal ring? Once
upon a time in a far-off country, a king had twin sons. One was strong and
handsome. The other was intelligent and wise. As the ruler grew old, everyone
speculated about which son the king would choose as his successor – the strong
son or the wise son. In this land the sign of kingship was a royal ring. Just
before the king died, he had a copy of the royal ring made and presented both
rings to his twin sons. The chief advisors to the king asked him, “How shall we
know which son wears the authentic royal ring?” “You shall know,” answered the
king, “because the chosen one will reveal his right to rule by his self-giving
service to our people.” [Richard Carl Hoefler, Insights, October 1988]. And
Jesus said, Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your
servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.
[Mark 10: 43,44]. — Many congregations declare at the conclusion of their
liturgy .. the worship has ended – now the service begins. Let that be our hope
as we hear those words, Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. For if that is
our intention, then we can truly say and mean .. Thanks be to God. Amen. (Fr. Almquist).
Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
25) “He gave us all he had and gave gladly.” There
is an old story of a rice farmer who saved an entire village from destruction.
From his hilltop farm he felt the earth quake and saw the distant ocean swiftly
withdraw from the shore line. He knew that a tidal wave was coming.
In the valley below, he saw his neighbors working low fields that
would soon be flooded. They must run quickly to his hilltop or they would all
die. His rice barns were dry as tinder. So, with a torch he set fire
to his barns and soon the fire gong started ringing. His neighbors saw the
smoke and rushed to help him. Then from their safe perch they saw the tidal
wave wash over the fields they had just left. In a flash they knew not
only who had saved them but what their salvation had cost their benefactor.
They later erected a monument to his memory bearing the motto, “He gave
us all he had, and gave gladly.”– This poor farmer finished first in
the eyes of his community, but it cost him everything he had. There
are not many people in our world like that farmer. He willingly sacrificed
himself that others might succeed. Most people do everything they can to better
themselves and think nothing of the people they step on, leaving them behind as
they climb to the top of the heap. This text is designed to teach us the
truth that not everyone who finishes first is victorious. Sometimes those who
take the last seat, those who willingly finish last, are the real winners in
the game of life. (Sermon Notebook). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
26) The man was seen having a bagel and coffee: I
have a story of servanthood to leave you with this morning. A woman found a
stack of checks all made out to someone named Stacy, with a bank deposit slip
for an amount over $3,000. Rather than call the woman, she decided to take the
checks to the bank and deposit them in the woman’s account. She told the teller
that the owner would likely come in soon all upset about losing the checks.
Tell her the money was found and deposited. Then tell her to read this note,
which said, “Hi, Stacy, I found your deposit and brought it to the bank. I
don’t know if you take the train to work in the morning, but there is a
homeless man who sits by the station nearby here every morning, and if you
would like to pass on the good deed, he could use a cup of coffee and a bagel.”
— That was a Tuesday. The man was seen having a bagel and coffee on
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It seems Stacy was very happy about having the
lost money deposited in her account. That’s an example of the kind of service
God wants us to perform and is so needed, especially with people losing jobs
today. (Rev. James F. Wright). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
27) The Narcissism Epidemic…Living in an age of
entitlement. Perhaps you have heard of the ancient Greek
legend of Narcissus. He was supposedly the son of a river god. A
seer had told his mother that her son must never see his reflection if he were
to mature into manhood. For that reason, everything that threw off an
image, such as metal, was removed from her son’s grasp. But one day
Narcissus found a spring that formed a pool filled with crystal-clear
water. As he stooped down to take a drink from the pool, he saw his
reflection on the surface of the pool. He fell desperately in love with
himself, and seeking to embrace himself, he fell into the water and he drowned.
We don’t speak much anymore of the legend of Narcissus. We do, however,
use his name to describe those who are hopelessly self-centered and
self-absorbed. In fact, narcissism is now identified and catalogued as an
official personality disorder by the medical profession. In a broader sense, we
use the name to describe one of the great maladies of our 21st century American
culture. Ours, in many ways, is a narcissistic culture. We live in
an age of entitlement. In fact, about 10 years ago there was book written
on the subject. It was titled, The Narcissism Epidemic…Living in
an Age of Entitlement. The authors give us a few examples of how our
culture has turned in on itself. They write, five times as many Americans
undergo plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures as did ten years ago, and
ordinary people hire fake paparazzi to follow them around to make them look
famous. High school students physically attack classmates and post
YouTube videos of the beatings to get attention. And for the past several
years, Americans have been buying McMansions and expensive cars on credit they can’t
afford.” — None of this, of course, should surprise us. Consider the
contrast set before us this morning in the Gospel reading from Mark 10.
James and John versus Jesus–selfish ambition versus self-sacrifice; wanting to
be a lord over others versus being Lord of all, and yet, desiring only to
serve. These are two completely different ways of life, two opposing
mindsets, two contradictory purposes, even, for life itself. (Rev. Alan
Taylor). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
28) Servant leadership: This
passage also tells us about the standard of Greatness in the Kingdom of
God, when Jesus places before us the concept of the servant leader.
In the Kingdom of God, the standard is that of service. Greatness consistsnot
in reducing other men to one’s service, but in reducing oneself to their
service. Hannibal Barca was a military commander of the
Carthage army in 247 BC. He led a famous campaign in the second Punic War
against the Roman army, remaining undefeated until the very gates of Rome. His
most famous military accomplishment was the battle of Cannae, where he defeated
a Roman army size double of his. What was the secret of his success? He
was a man who led by example. He would sleep among his soldiers and would not
wear anything that made him distinct above his soldiers. He would lead the
armies into battle and be the last to leave the battlefield. Even today he
stands as a model for leadership. Ernest Shackleton is another
great example of a servant leader. He was an early 20th century explorer whose
ship was crushed in Antarctic ice. After countless brushes with death,
including an 800-mile journey in open boats across the winter Antarctic seas,
Shackleton brought every one of his 27 crew members home alive. It took two
years, but his sense of responsibility toward his men never wavered. One of the
many tactics he used to serve his men was to share sleeping quarters with those
who were most disgruntled instead of his favorite people to be around. — These
leaders put the needs of the people they lead ahead of their own. So, they
became great. (Fr. Bobby Jose). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
29) Rudyard Kipling has a poem called “Mary’s
Son” which is advice on the spirit in which a man must work.
If you stop to find out what your wages will be
And how they will clothe and feed you,
Willie, my son, don’t you go on the Sea.
For the Sea will never need you.
If you ask for the reason of every command,
And argue with people about you,
Willie, my son, don’t you go on the Land,
For the Land will do better without you.
If you stop to consider the work, you have done
And to boast what your labor is worth, dear,
Angels may come for you, Willie, my son,
But you’ll never be wanted on Earth, dear! [Quoted by
William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, p. 267]. (Fr. Bobby Jose). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
30) He Gives His Life: One of the
most remarkable medical developments in the 1930’s and 1940’s was the
blood-bank. Blood was taken from donors to be stored for later transfer into
the bodies of those who had themselves suffered a major loss of blood. Rarely,
since then, have we heard of the givers of blood charging for that service.
Blood giving has rather struck people as an act of charity and compassion
towards those whose life is endangered. Particularly during World War II those
who were donating to the American Red Cross blood banks would vie with each
other to become “gallonaires” – donors (at medically prescribed intervals) of a
gallon of their lifeblood. Blood-banks were not restricted to the United
States. The practice of donating one’s blood spread everywhere. To the Christians
of the world the gift of blood was not only something humane, but something
Christ-like. Pope Pius XII pointed this out in the fall of 1948. During and
after World War II, many Italians had given generously of their blood to save
the lives of the thousands who had been wounded or otherwise stricken in the
Italian Campaign. In Autumn 1948 a group of these Italian blood donors had a
special audience with the Holy Father. Praising their true Christian
generosity, he told them “Christ, the Supreme and Divine Donor of His Blood, is
your example in a particular way.” — In today’s first reading, the prophet
Isaiah foresees that the death of Christ will be the cause of life for mankind.
“If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a
long line…” (53:10). A moment before, Isaiah had said “By his stripes we were
healed” (53:5). Know then, whenever you give blood to your fellowman that you,
like Jesus, are giving of your very self so that others may live. (Father
Robert F. McNamara). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
31) Eagle among the Prairie chicken: Do you
remember the story of the eagle’s egg that was placed into the nest of a
prairie chicken? The eaglet hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with
them. All his life, the eagle, thinking he was a prairie chicken, did what the
prairie chickens did. He scratched in the dirt for seeds and insects to eat. He
clucked and cackled, and he flew in a brief thrashing of wings and flurry of
feathers no more than a few feet off the ground. After all, that’s how prairie
chickens were supposed to fly. Years passed, and the eagle grew very old. One
day, he saw a magnificent bird far above him in the cloudless sky. Hanging with
graceful majesty on the powerful wind currents, it soared with scarcely a beat
of its strong golden wings. “What a beautiful bird,” said the eagle to his
neighbor, “what is it? ”That’s an eagle–the chief of the birds,” the neighbor
clucked. “But don’t give it a second thought. You could never be like him.” So
the changeling eagle never gave it another thought, and it died, thinking it
was a prairie chicken. — I believe far too many Christians are just like that
eagle, living far below their great, sweet, soaring, massive potential. For far
too many believers, God says, “Run,” but we walk. God says, “Obey,” and we
consider our options. God says, “Serve,” and we’re content to be served. So
which path are you on? Are you on the path of true spiritual greatness–the eagle?
Or are you on the path of worldly greatness–the prairie chicken? (Rev. Chris
Mueller). Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).
32) He was proud of his humility: I
knew a guy once who worked really hard at appearing humble. In public, he was
always putting himself down, always declining praise when he’d done something
good. But in private, it was a different story. One time he told me of a
particularly generous thing he’d done for someone we both knew. And then he
said, “But of course, I don’t want anyone to know it was me. Jesus says to give
alms in secret.” And I thought, “but you just told me.” This
same friend complained to me – privately, of course – when he didn’t receive an
award for service that he was hoping to get. He thought the person who did
receive the award “didn’t
go above and beyond the call of duty” as much as he did, and wasn’t humble
enough. — In reality, my friend was pretty proud of his humility. He didn’t
understand that true humility comes from thinking less of yourself, and more of
someone else. Real humility is the foundation of real greatness, particularly
because it doesn’t care at all about recognition or glory; it only cares about
the good of others. (Jo Anne Taylor).
Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/)
