"Anyone who wants to rank first must serve the needs of all."

Isaiah 53:10-11
Psalm 33
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mark 10:35-45

"Anyone who wants to rank first must serve the needs of all."


There arose a feeling of indignation among the apostles because two of their own rank, James and John, approached Jesus and requested that they be sitted one at His right, and the other at His left (when He comes into His glory). To remedy the situation, Jesus called all of them and emphasized the priority of service above positions of honor and authority. His own words and deeds attest to this teaching. Jesus Himself exemplified service as a poor, itinerant preacher going about many villages to heal the sick, to reconcile sinners back to God, and to give hope by raising many dead back to life.


A life of serving others - in family, work or community - is not an easy responsibility or commitment. It takes God's grace from the Sacraments and the daily practice of prayer and work to continue, persevere and be faithful until the end. Whenever we encounter difficulty in any of our responsibilities, we can remember what St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans as a source of encouragement or consolation:


Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5) God will provide timely help for anyone who trusts in Him in whatever responsibilities he needs to complete.




This is the wisdom that many should believe in. For those who are called to positions of authority, then the example of Jesus can help them see how they are to accomplish their work. What is important is not to fall into the temptation of wielding power and authority that causes disunity and disharmony - just as James and John did. Jesus and the example of saintly monarchs in our Catholic history can inspire and protect us from falling into this temptation. To resist the temptation to power and authority without a strong sense of responsibility and ethics calls for an attitude of valuing the common good above personal interests, valuing mercy above material motivations, and valuing God above all loves - be it persons or things.