“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all”

Jesus's life and teachings:emphasizing that true greatness lies in serving others.

True leadership is about serving and sacrificing for the well-being of others.

　

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊      　

　 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

However, we carry this treasure

In vessels of clay, so that this all surpassing power may not be seen as ours,

but as God's. Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged.

We are left without answer, but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed.

At any moment, we carry, in our person, the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us.

 

For we, the living, are given up continually to death, for the sake of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may appear in our mortal existence. And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.

We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture that says: I believed and so I spoke.

We also believe, and so we speak. We know that he who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us,

with Jesus, and bring us, with you, into his presence. Finally, everything is for your good,

so that grace will come more abundantly upon you, and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of God.

 

Ps 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5,6 Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 20:20-28

Then the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down to ask a favor.

Jesus said to her, "What do you want?" And she answered, "Here you have my two sons. Grant that they may sit,

one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."

Jesus said to the brothers, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?"

They answered, "We can." Jesus replied, "You will indeed drink my cup; but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant.

 

That will be for those, for whom my Father has prepared it."

The other ten heard all this, and were angry with the two brothers.

Then Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of nations behave like tyrants, and the powerful oppress them.

It shall not be so among you: whoever wants to be great in your community, let him minister to the community.

And if you want to be the first of all, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man,

who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to redeem many."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Make yourself the servant of all."

Saint Gregory the Great was the first to use the title servus servorum Dei – servant of the servants of God.

Before it became a title exclusively of popes, it was also used by medieval kings, such as Alfonso III of Spain.

Both Saint Gregory and King Alfonso were called Great and yet both called themselves servants.

"You know that the rulers of nations behave like tyrants... It shall not be so among you... first of all,

make yourself the servant of all." Christ teaches us that leadership is not about self-aggrandizement

or about grabbing power for self-gain. Whatever power we have is to be used for the good of others and to the glory of God.

 

It is to be used as service, in imitation of Christ, the suffering servant, who gave his life for our salvation.

Christ-like loving service: that is true greatness. The brothers James and John had to learn the hard way what true greatness means,

and Saint James was the first Apostle to be martyred for the Christian faith, serving others by witnessing to Christ,

even to giving his life. May Saint James pray for us, that we might learn how to serve.