Being a happy servant is possible if we welcome children into our lives … they teach us much about the joy(s) of life
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 22, 2024
The central message of today’s readings focuses on the importance of being a servant. Jesus gives us the powerful example of welcoming a child, who had no power or status at that time.
Yet, by placing a child before us, Jesus teaches that true greatness comes in protecting and serving those who are weak, vulnerable and dependent. The humility resulting from this choice to serve can be difficult work at times, but is a sure pathway to true and lasting joy.
The Gospel has two parts: the prediction of the death and resurrection of Christ himself; and the instruction to become a servant of each other: and basically put ourselves at the back of the line.
And there’s a close connection between the two. To voluntarily become a servant of others is kind of humiliation: especially to many of the cultures in Africa which emphasise pride, independence and strength: all good qualities, as long as they serve the community.
By default, mums and dads become servants of their children and, although we think we are still the boss, our children often control us! Ha, ha. And, yet, true servants of others come to be admired. Parents are loved. Look at Mother Teresa: the world over she is praised for her kindness and selflessness to help others. But, in the beginning, she was often humiliated.
But her humiliation (death), often turned into a resurrection, both for herself and those involved. The children she saved, obviously, but also some of those whom she met. eg. one day she had invited many guests from the streets and realised she didn’t have enough food.
She visited a businessman nearby and somehow evaded three layers of security and found herself in front of his desk. He asked her in an impatient tone: what do you want? Mother Teresa explained. He got up, came around the desk and stood close to her, and spat in her face. She quickly wiped it off with her sari dress, and replied: “I’ll accept that for myself, but what will the others eat?” That businessman, thereafter, became her faithful, life-long, supporter.
I like this story because it highlights the role of a being a servant to the community, rather than a slave to one or two people. Our service should empower people to serve others.
The first reading doesn’t look appealing at all! But, as Mother Teresa revealed above, sometimes our fortitude and courage in the face of humiliation causes a transformation in the other(s). Sadly, sometimes it doesn’t and we suffer for a time. But, later on, there is a lot of potential that our suffering will bring about change.
In recent months, the Gen-Zees made themselves servants of all of Kenya – at least the genuine protesters – trying to bring change; even though many were plotting for their downfall. In some ways, it looks like their sacrifice and pain has only had short-lived benefits. However, their actions have woken up a lot of Kenyans to be more vocal about justice and respect.
Closer to home, Religious and priests face the same challenge to be servants of each other, and the people we are called to serve. Local Superiors in religious communities find it challenging to lead a group of other men or women, some of whom think they can do what they like.
So, the Second Reading is how we need to be as servant leaders, “whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good.”
This is a good checklist for all of us trying to be servant leaders: check the outcome of our actions and make changes according to God’s Wisdom. But I wonder if Jesus would also struggle with some of our Brothers and Sisters? Me? Ha, ha. Although we are called Superiors, the truth is we are called to be the servant of our members.
The last part of the Gospel is a final clue, or key, as to how we can be servants and still be happy: the ability to see the goodness and potential in everyone we serve or live with.
Children, in the time of Jesus, had a low status. And, yet, children and our youth are the sources of pure joy that gives life and meaning to our communities. Perhaps that is why mental health issues are so common amongst us these days: how do we welcome children/ youth?
In addition, how often are we guilty of dismissing other people because we feel superior to them, or we judge them to be “one of those” not worthy of our attention? We can learn a lot from young people and so called “uneducated” people alike: they have real-life education.
Although it is essential for young people to achieve many things and build a solid future, as we grow older we no longer find true happiness in acquiring things. True happiness comes by a gradual letting go of control and empowering the younger generations, as a form of service.
Although family life is often challenging, hard work, and has periods of no appreciation, Resurrection moments come often during the life of their children: with one condition. We must learn to be servants of them for their good. Sacrifice and pain are there, but when we focus on “welcoming the child” we are on the pathway to our own Resurrection.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI
