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Gospel Reading for July 25, 2024 – Matthew 20: 20-28
NOT TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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It is very obvious that Salome (mother of James and John)did not understand the difference between the kingdoms of this world with the Kingdom of God that’s why she wanted her sons to be ranked. How she thought they would benefit from the rank is not clear, although from the response of Jesus it seemed to be a sort of “lording it over the others.” The rest of them became indignant when they heard it, probably because they thought the same as the mother and brothers did.
The word “royalty” comes from the Latin “regalitas,” meaning that which is characteristic of a king. The kings of this world are served and are given honors and special treatment. They live in castles or big estates, all their needs are attended to by staff and servants, and their safety is very secured. Jesus, King of the Universe was the one who served and was not given honors and special treatment. As a matter of fact, his own townsfolk ridiculed him for having such knowledge and powers that did not befit the son of a carpenter. He had no house of his own and was always on the move to fulfill his mission of saving people from all sorts of evil, giving perfect service. And, if his safety was very secured, he probably would not have been arrested and died on the cross.
All of us members of Christendom, are committed to follow our King’s example: NOT TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE. It is only upon giving humble service that we can be considered great in heaven!
Lord Jesus, teach us to give humble service as you did on earth!
