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
***
David Beckett, EZ-Pass
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:
and, lo and behold,
I discovered that Service is Joy.
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
***
1) "Before Cell-phones?"
How many of us here this morning were born BC? By "BC" I mean "Before Cell-phones?" The first cell phone was invented in 1973 by Martin Cooper. My kids were born AC, but I was born BC. In a world of 7 billion people, there are now 5 billion cell phone subscriptions. Pretty amazing for something under 40 years old.
In the last forty years the cyber-cellular age has changed the way we do business, the way we get our education, the way we socialize. The world has never been so closely connected, and there has never been this much immediately accessible information as there is with our new online universe. Each cell phone is almost the equivalent of having the Library of Congress in our hands.
Unfortunately all that easily accessed info has also led to an epidemic of a new kind of crime - identity theft. With just a few bits of our personal information, an online burglar can electronically hijack anyone's identity and drain bank accounts, take out huge loans, run up mountains of credit card debt. Once your identity is stolen your name is no longer your own. No matter your name, your name is mud...
2) Everybody Wants to Be Somebody
Everybody wants to be somebody. Since the dawn of history, human beings have been trying to move up the scale of importance. The clincher used by the serpent to tempt Adam and Eve was "when you eat of [the tree of good and evil], your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5). Henri Nouwen says that ever since then, we have been tempted to replace love with power. "The long painful history of the church is the history of people ever and again tempted to choose power over love, control over the cross, being a leader over being led." This is a theme running through the Bible, through human history and through our own psyche.
Kenneth L. Carder, The Call to Downward Mobility, The Christian Century, Oct. 8, 1997, p. 869
3) One Positive Thing
"There are many negative things that can be said about James and John," writes William Barclay. "They were nakedly ambitious and proud: they wanted, and believed they deserved, places of honor in Jesus' kingdom. They were ignorant and insensitive: their request for places of honor came right after Jesus had told of His coming suffering and death. But there's one positive thing you can say about James and John: they believed in Jesus. Here was a poor, homeless, persecuted carpenter and yet James and John believed Jesus was a king. They believed that He would conquer the power structure of Rome." Even their crude ambition reflected their faith in Christ.
William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, pp. 254, 255.
4) Looking for an EZ Pass
On many of our nation's toll roads, rather than stopping at a toll-booth to toss some change in a hopper, you can now purchase a transponder, sometimes called an EZ-Pass, and zip through in the left lanes without even slowing down to the acceptable speed limit. Instead of cash, tickets and paper receipts, it's a microchip tag placed on your windshield containing pertinent data which eases your way. Your data is quickly read by a tollbooth electronic antenna as your car zooms on through. It automatically deducts your appropriate toll tax. This computerized collection system then sends a monthly statement to your home with tallies of times and places for your records. EZ-Pass is like a debit card for your car, only quicker. No more stopping at the tollgate, the narrow gate.
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.
Sometimes it seems that everybody wants the easy way to the front of the line, a quick way to glory and fast track to success. Including James and John, the brothers Zebedee, who want front-row seats numbering two and three. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and see if you can identify with their self-centeredness. These guys gave up everything to follow Jesus. They followed Jesus when nobody knew him. They followed Jesus before his miracles. Now that he was popular, James and John were feeling the swell of fame. After all, they were Jesus' best friends, his disciples! So we can understand why two of them came to Jesus with their request.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
5) "Others"
In just a few short weeks we will begin to see people in uniforms in shopping malls ringing bells collecting donations for the poor. They are doing the work of the Salvation Army.
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."
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."
King Duncan,
_____________________
6) 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).
7) Power
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Range of Washington exploded with what is probably the most visible indication of the power of nature that the modern world has ever seen. At 8:32 A.M. the explosion ripped 1,300 feet off the mountain, with a force of ten million tons of TNT, or roughly equal to five hundred Hiroshimas. Sixty people were killed, most by a blast of 300-degree heat traveling at two hundred miles an hour. Some were killed as far as sixteen miles away.
The blast also leveled 150-foot Douglas firs, as far as seventeen miles away. A total of 3.2 billion board-feet of lumber were destroyed, enough to build 200,000 three-bedroom homes.
Michael P. Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 269
____________________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."
G. Curtis Jones, "1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching" p. 291
8) Power Verses Service
Alexander, Caesar, and Hannibal conquered the world but had no friends....Jesus founded his empire upon love, and at this hour millions would die for him.... He has won the hearts of men, a task a conqueror cannot do."
Napoleon
____________________
9) I wouldn’t do that for all the money in the world
A well-dressed European woman was on safari in Africa. The group stopped briefly at a hospital for lepers. The heat was intense, the flies buzzing. She noticed a nurse bending down in the dirt, tending to the pus-filled sores of a leper.
With disdain the woman remarked, "Why, I wouldn't do that for all the money in the world!"
The nurse quietly replied, "Neither would I."
Donald L. Deffner, Seasonal Illustrations p. 130
10) Service
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found a way to serve."
Albert Schweitzer
11) I Hate To Leave This Church
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 that "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.
"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.
William G. Carter, No Box Seats in the Kingdom, CSS Publishing.
12) What's In It For Me?
A number of years ago, a small book appeared for ministers. Titled The Penguin Principles, it attempted to help naive clergy get a handle on the people of their congregations. Most of the material in the book was written with tongue in cheek, so it has some truth in it. According to the book, the first principle of church life goes like this: "Despite the pious things we say, at any given time, less than five percent of any group in the church is operating with purely Christian motivation. The other 95 percent is asking, 'What's in it for me?'"
William G. Carter, No Box Seats In The Kingdom, CSS Publishing.
13) Service
Have you heard the beautiful children's story about the three trees? The trees were talking in the forest one day about their dreams for the future. The first tree said it would like to be made into a cradle, so that it might go on living as a support for the fragile life of a tiny new baby. The second tree wanted to be made into a big ship, so that it might go on living, carrying important cargo and influential people to exotic new lands. The third tree longed to stay right where it was, existing only as a tree, but growing ever taller, and pointing ever higher, to remind everyone that there is a God in heaven who loves them. Those were their dreams: One wanted to be a cradle, one wanted to be a mighty ship, and one wanted to be a tall tree, pointing people toward God.
But then one day the woodcutters came and chopped down the three trees...and destroyed their dreams. The first tree was not made into a cradle, but into a simple feeding trough, a manger for animals. But the manger was sold to a family in Bethlehem, and on the night Jesus was born, that simple feed box became the cradle for the Christ Child.
The second tree was built into a boat, but not the kind it had dreamed of--not a mighty ocean-going vessel--but a tiny inexpensive fishing boat. A man named Simon Peter bought the boat, and on one warm afternoon when the crowds pressed in, Jesus himself climbed aboard that small fishing boats that he might preach good news to the multitudes.
The third tree also was deprived of its dream...
From Fr. Tony Kadavil:
14) “Feel free to call on your commander-in-chief:”
On one occasion during the American Revolutionary War, preparations were being made for an up-coming battle. A man dressed in civilian clothes passed a Corporal who was screaming orders at his men. Seeing that they were obviously exhausted from their labor, the man asked the corporal, “Why don’t you help them?” “Sir,” the corporal bristled as his anger rose, “I am a Corporal!” With a quick apology, the stranger took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and set to work with the soldiers. “Mr. Corporal, Sir,” he said when the task was completed, “whenever you need someone to help with a job, feel free to call on your commander-in-chief. I will be happy to be of service.” With that, George Washington put on his coat and left. President Washington understood today’s gospel teaching that those who aspire to greatness or first rank among others, must serve the needs of all. (http://www.ascensioncatholic.net/lectionary/CycleB/reflection/)
15) 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 his messianic kingdom-- to be the greatest, to be the first.
16) 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: “This is mine attitude!” Today’s gospel describes how Jesus handled greed in two of his disciples.
17) 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.
18) 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 other congressmen waiting for their chance for the barber’s free service, carrying a note of thanks from the Senator!
19) "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 great 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 as Service.
And then I went to work -Then I awoke and realized that life as Service.
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?"
20) "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 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. 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 servant hood.
21) True Greatness:
Nobel prizes are awarded every year in literature, economics and science. 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).
