Religious Education

I have always been impressed with a “boss” who is willing to get down and work with the people who are under him/her.  I remember a principal in one of my past schools who would fill in for the traffic warden (the lollie-pop lady) holding the STOP sign for students to cross the street safely in front of the school, whenever the lollie-pop lady was away.  I also remember my old Parish Priest Father Frank,  who enjoyed helping on the stalls at the parish fete, and was always there till the very end cleaning up the rubbish.  Even our principal, Mrs Stutterd sets up chairs for meetings, sweeps the floors in the hall and does whatever else is necessary, in order to help others. 

On the other hand, I also recall other “leaders” who would not lift a finger to help anyone and expected everyone else to wait on them. 

Obviously, the best example of a Servant-Leader is Jesus.  Even though He is the Son of GOD, part of the Blessed Trinity, nothing is beneath Him.  He has come to truly serve rather than be served.  He should be our model for leadership.​​

In this Sunday’s  gospel James and John ask Jesus for places of honor in His reign.  Jesus responds to them, showing they are asking the wrong question.  Honor and glory come from suffering and being a servant, not from sitting at a special place and being served.

Service of others involves giving of one’s self.  The ultimate act of service and giving of one’s self is by being willing to die for the sake of others so that they might live.  Think of the firefighters who went into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.  They risked their lives (and gave their lives) in order to try to save others.   Think of the soldiers who have fought, suffered, and even died to maintain our way of living.  Another example is the fire-fighters who have been fighting fires over the last few years, some even dying, trying to protect the homes of others.  We can also look to those who have risked their lives over the last year and half by tending to those suffering from the pandemic.

Jesus did even more.  He gave up His life for us so that we may have eternal life.

May we continue to imitate our Master-Teacher Who came to serve rather than be served and may we  be more of a servant-leader to those whom we encounter – in our homes, in our work and in our communities.