Gilderious Khonglah csc –
Readings: 1 Pet 1:18-25; Mk 10: 32-45
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus calls us not to exalt ourselves but to die to ourselves. We should seek not our own glory but his alone. To do this, we must, as Paul clearly shows in Galatians 5:24, crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. We must be able to say “no” to our selfish desires and be able to say “yes” to God’s will with conviction. Jesus not only calls us to die to ourselves but to “live out” His life through our service to others. When we are in the service of others, we should never see it as a lowly task.
Pride is what will make us think that we are better than the position we find ourselves in. Pride is not a godly trait to maintain. It always causes strife and disrupts harmony. If we have to serve as an understudy and help someone out, whether it is happening in church, at school, or at work, we need to see it as an opportunity to work and uplift them honourably.
Loyalty does not mean that each one has to fulfil every tiny request that people ask for, especially if it sounds ungodly. Being a loyal servant simply means that you work with an open heart, willing to be of help wherever and in whatever way you can.