whoever would be great among

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Psalm 126:1-6 Matthew 20:20-28

Matthew 20:26  It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

This is a profound verse.  There is a tendency to want to do the Lord's work and to command people in the process of doing it.  But Jesus says that to be great we must be the servant/slave to all.  This really speaks more of a voluntary system than one of hard laws and enforcement.  That kind of flies in the face of what we think should happen.  Our tendency is to make many laws for the "benefit" of the people.  But are we really benefiting them?  Wouldn't it be better if the volunteered our to love and a sense of service?  This is why I think a democratic form of government is better.  It succeeds when we are volunteer based.  Communism demands adherence to laws and a forced charity.  A democratic and capitalistic society thrives on real charity.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek to be the servant of all.  Help me to see the value in the commitment of a sincere heart as opposed to a forced sense of commitment.

Amen