Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 14: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 105:1 to 22; Evening, Psalm 105:23 to 45;
2nd Samuel 15:1 to 18; Acts 21:27 to 36; Mark 10:32 to 45:
“So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10: 42 to 45)
Our Lord Jesus has just explained how he is to go up to Jerusalem and be humiliated and killed. He is doing this willingly for the sake of the world. Yet, even after hearing his testimony, James and John ask for glory in the next life. Jesus further explains that he serves people and wants us to do the same. James and John were sadly looking for their own glory.
In some kind of reverse psychology our Lord Jesus pushes them to seek glory in their humility. But I think the greater point is to not seek glory at all. But rather, just be comfortable in serving others. I believe service to others is the Christian calling. Such service includes teaching about decency, compassion, and courtesy as it exists in the society in which we live as well as about the love that God has for us all. This is not glory seeking, but rather, being of service to others for the benefit of others and being comfortable doing it.
This way of living and leading is very different from the way of the world. The world leads with intimidation, threats, and negative consequences for people who do not please those over them. Our Lord Jesus says of them, and of our system today, “those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.” This kind of employee abuse has been made manifest in having people work “off the clock,” sexual intimidation or abuse, working in hazardous environments, and so forth. It seems the higher up the chain we go, the more corrupt it becomes. There is too often a severe lack of love in our chains of command. Our Lord Jesus teaches us that love should be a thread within every fabric of our societal cloth.
Today our Church remembers Jonathan Myrick Daniels, Seminarian and Martyr (August 14, 1965) and his information may be found at: Jonathan Daniels.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (BCP p. 260)
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 