Reflection
Greatness? It’s Love and Service
We continue our Lenten journey with a focused teaching from Jesus on what it means to really love. And, as we know from the basics of our faith, Jesus backed up his words with His deeds — to the shedding His very Life’s Blood on the Cross of Calvary!
Matthew’s Gospel selection begins with Jesus predicting His suffering and death on the cross…a direct, somber message that must have seriously shaken the Apostles who were travelling with Him to Jerusalem. As this serious scene unfolds, the mother of the disciples James and John approaches Jesus and requests that her two sons one day have places of honor in Jesus’ Kingdom. Upon questioning by Jesus, James and John state that they can “drink the chalice” (i.e., suffering love) of Jesus – and Jesus replies that they and all followers are called to generous service without the assurance of any special reward. Unselfish love and service are part and parcel of the Kingdom of God as proclaimed and witnessed by Jesus. “…the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Yes, Jesus, the Suffering Servant.
We know that it’s not often easy to give of ourselves to others without at least some hope of recognition / return. Parents often realize that the life and energy lovingly “invested” in their children can often be met with children’s indifference, that so much of life can be taken for granted. Likewise, lovingly caring for elderly or needy family or friends is all too often met with ingratitude, sometimes even with emotional or verbal hostility. Leaders in both the spiritual and civil realms can face suspicion, rejection and even hostility, as did Jeremiah in today’s first scripture reading.
Challenging as unselfish service and love truly is, that unselfish love and service is exactly what Jesus asks of us all.
Jesus teaches us that greatness comes from selflessly serving others without thought of compensation.
Lent’s discipline encourages us to look to the Cross of Jesus as our personal motivation for embracing all of life, especially life’s most challenging experiences. Jesus invites us to follow His example as He “…drinks His chalice…”
May our Lenten discipline of prayer, penance, and sacrifice / almsgiving help form us as 21st Century disciples of Jesus, freely giving of ourselves in service of God and others. May Jesus Crucified continue to inspire us to lives of humility, generosity, and joy-filled service of our sisters and brothers. Yes, “greatness” comes in service!
