by Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
v35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “there is something we want you to do for us.” v36″What is it?” Jesus asked them. v37They answered, “When you sit on your throne in your glorious Kingdom, we want you to let us sit with you, one at your right and one at your left.” v38Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink? Can you be baptized in the way I must be baptized?”….
…. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest; v44and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all. v45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.”(Read: Mark 10.35-45)
The circus has begun. This is the general impression of people keen in observing the socio-political arena in our country today. Even before the official filing of certificate of candidacy (CoCs) was declared politicians were already trying to outdo each other by making paid advertisements wrapped as ‘advocacies’ in the tri-media. Trolls of different colors also compete in making believable facts about their handlers or against their nemesis in the social media. The common refrain of politicians vying for elected positions is ‘to serve the people, to defend the interest of the country… pagbabago, change…” Of course, this is a sad refrain repeated every election season. Sad because most if not all of these promises remain just that, promises. This is one kind of budol-budol that everybody should be wary in the next months. As the popular cliché goes: walang maloloko kung walang magpapaloko. In short, let us be wise and vigilant…. Always! Never again!
***
Let our minds be protected from the charlatans of our time regarding true leadership and greatness by the guideline set forth by Jesus from the gospel lesson this 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24). We read in the above gospel narrative about the ambitious Zebedee brothers. It is a story about seeking privilege and power, of getting ahead of the others, a little wheeling and dealing to get the best place. In a way they were asking Jesus, ““We want you to do something for us ….let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Sounds familiar? I call this a wheeling and dealing for a position of power. Ambition is a human trait which moves people to excel and to surpass their present states. However, when such ambition becomes an obsession it will turn ugly and will bulldozed forward regardless of who will be destroyed along the way just to fulfill that selfish goal. Society, at any age, can never get away from problems posed by status and rank.
***
James and John are requesting favored treatment from Jesus. It was no small honor they were demanding while overlooking the suffering involved in Christ’s passion and death. With an eye to the future they were aiming at being part of Christ’s inner circle, sitting beside him at his right and left hand in glory. Jesus did not condemn outright nor suppress the ambition of his followers. Instead, the Lord raised his disciples’ sights to the true and proper object of ambition which is none other than the search for greatness by what Nietzsche centuries later called a “transvaluation” of values. In other words, in the new order of things which should be followed in the kingdom Christ would establish, true greatness is to not to be identified by what some people call being the top honcho.
***
Jesus after calming the indignation caused by the naked bid for promotion by James and John, spells out clearly a new standard of greatness and status, stating that success in his kingdom is not measured by worldly standards. There is no place in his community for ambitious power-hungry men and women who are motivated solely by self-interest. Jesus wants his followers to think in terms of service rather than of authority. In any community he wants those who have authority to be seen at the service of those under their guidance. Christ lived what he preached. His whole life, from working as a carpenter in Nazareth to dying on the cross in Calvary set the example of such service. At the last supper, when he got up from the table, took a towel and basin and washed the feet of the apostles, he highlighted in dramatic form the importance of service. In so doing he was calling on his followers to share in spreading his gospel by giving themselves completely to his way of life.
***
Following is a good illustration for true leadership. During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier. Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, “Sir, I am a corporal!” The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, “Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again.” With that George Washington got back on horse and rode off.
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 to him from the man at the top. The disciples, likewise, receive from their leader a picture of servant hood.
***
True greatness is to be sought in following Jesus who came not to be served but to serve. In the new order of things, he would be the greatest if he is ready and actually does stoop down to serve others. We serve God best by helping one another. As adults we are all involved in the exercise of authority in some shape or form, whether at home or in our place of work. In leading the way, we should be the first to obey the laws that we lay down. There is to be no lording it over those in our care because authority is not for the controlling of people but for the proper guidance of the community. To exercise it properly, a great help is never to lose sight of the importance of service and availability to those under our control – for this is the reflection of the life of Jesus in our own particular circumstances.
***
When Christ warned his disciples not to set up worldly power-structures within the Christian community, he was very much aware of our human failings. We are all inclined to be selfish to live for ourselves without showing much concern for others. The attitude of ‘What’s in it for me?’ runs deep in all our hearts. The standard of greatness in his kingdom is the standard of the cross. That’s why we should never lose sight of the character of service. Not only is humble service the antidote of dissension among ambitious men and women. It is the way Christ achieved his glory when he embraced the suffering and pain of the cross. Our own crosses consist of failed ambitions, broken dreams, but in the light of his teaching on greatness and in the shadow of the cross, it is the way to greatness. It is the road to harmony in the family of humankind.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve to works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (ECP-BCP Proper 24 Collect)**
