Ministrare | Serve

"For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." - (Mark 10:45)

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Reflecting on Jesus' Words in Mark 10, only days before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  He attempted to teach His closest followers on what it means to be servant leaders, even though these disciples had followed the Lord and witnessed numerous miracles in His three short years of ministry in Judea. His ministry included miraculous feeding of the multitudes, miraculous catch of fish, the raising of Lazarus from death, freeing of the demon-possessed young man, healing of the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, causing the lame to walk and much more. All these were pointing to Jesus as the Messiah whom the prophet Isaiah was writing about in Isaiah 61. Yet, the disciples' finite human minds were still focused on temporal things on earth such as who would sit with Jesus at the place of honour. This is almost akin to how the Pharisees too were always seen in prominent positions in Jewish society. The Lord reminded them that even He Himself, Who was God's Son came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

As I reflected on Jesus' teaching here, I'm reminded of the times I too had acted like the disciples, wanted the limelight in ministry, and placed myself in the throne of my heart instead of enthroning Jesus as the Lord of my heart.

I will close my sharing with this beautiful hymn by Maranatha Singers:  Make Me A Servant

Make me a servant

Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up

Those who are weak

And may the prayer

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today

Make me a servant

Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up

Those who are weak

And may the prayer

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today

Make me a servant

Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up

Those who are weak

And may the prayer

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today 

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/r6U8O_WnPZY 

Source: LyricFind 

Songwriters: Kelly Faye Willard Make Me a Servant lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Reflection on Mark 10:32-45 by Chris Tan

In magnitudine Dei (Lk. 9:43)

 

The series of events concerning Jesus made it clear that He was "the Messiah of God" (Luke 9:20). Such events as the exorcism of evil spirits, the resurrection of the dead, the feeding of the five thousand people, the glorification on the mountain, etc. The three passages we read today show the struggle of his disciples to understand their calling as followers of Jesus.

They find it difficult to understand Jesus' announcement that He must suffer (Luke 9:44). It was very difficult for them that they also have to accept the cross. Actually, they dreamt about great honor and high position. But Jesus took a young child and made him a role model in the Kingdom of God. They were taught to serve in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

The teaching of this passage is extraordinary. As Christ's disciples, we are called to various ministries. We should not choose better status and position in the community. On the contrary, we are called to accept the cross and become despicable for God's sake.  

By Sr. Yanti Purnawati SFSC.

In desertum locum (Lk. 4:42)

 

In our Gospel today, Jesus shows us how we should do as his followers amidst a busy situation and full of various jobs and services. Even though Jesus is busy because he goes around doing good deeds, by healing the sick and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, he does not forget to draw strength from God the Father through prayer. Through prayer, Jesus establishes personal communication with his Father. His ministry is reinforced and recharged by his personal communication and communion with his Father as he goes to spend time in a ‘lonely place’.

Now we are living in a busy, competitive, and noisy world. Many times we are tired and we are discouraged.  Even we experience stress because of the many tasks we have to accomplish.  We have a life burden that we cannot bear and it seems the world is pressing on us. 

Probably we don't have communication and communion with God and that's why we experience these unpleasant things. Probably, we don’t go to a ‘lonely place’ and for that reason, we don’t get strength, comfort, and courage.

Today, Jesus gives very good advice for us. We need to find the time and place for our personal communion and communication with God. We need to pray and draw strength from God, our Father. When we are in a ‘lonely place’ with God, we will experience the joy of healing, freedom, comfort, and strength.

By Fr. Risco Batbual, SVD.