Service is the point - not rank

“and whoever wishes to be first…..”  (Mark 10:44)

Mark 10:35-45 (Year B: Trinity+20)

As creatures of habit we can tend to like the limelight – titles, positions, ranks and especially all that goes with authority. Not that we do not act with good motivation and with the intention of doing good and fulfilling our commitments whether in family, the workplace or the local community.  However, what goes with this by way of position in a hierarchy of position and authority is attractive – for some more than others.

This is not altogether a bad thing. After all, God knows how to write straight on crooked lines and even if what drives people forward is a mix of things everything can be turned into good especially when there is some faith, hope and love in what we do and how we do it – albeit gifts of grace alone.

The story of how James and John asked for special places in the kingdom reminds us of how just human the first disciples were. Little has changed. Yet, we should remember that of these two, James had his head cut off according to Acts 12:1-2 – a fate awaiting some Christians in the same region today. There is no evidence that John met a violent death but the other leading apostle, Peter, was by popular tradition believed to have been crucified.  And as for the Lord, his crucifixion is a key part of our understanding and faith within the story of God’s saving power. So, whatever about rank, position and title according to human arrangements, norms and traditions, the outcome for those who sense a call and are called to positions of service in the church involves some pain, difficulty and possibly even persecution.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will continue to be….

In Matthew’s account (20:20-28) of the same story there is a possibly slightly ironic and humorous note in that the mother of James and John does the pleading.   No surprises there!  Just picture the ‘sons of thunder’, James and John, standing confidently beside their mother (quite possibly a mother and woman of thunder?!) as the pleading goes on. Was there a hint of arrogance in the following request (verse 35):

“Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 

However, it should be remembered these were cousins of Jesus and, perhaps, there was a family dimension to this such as arises about seating at wedding banquets today.  Jesus knows how to handle not only James and John but the other 10 disciples who, according to Mark 10:41 became indignant. Anyone familiar with human resources management and what are referred to as ‘industrial relations’ in the workplace will spot parallels here.  But, that is to be expected and in the culture of Jesus’ time we are reminded that it was normal practice among the ‘Gentiles’ for rulers to lord it over their subjects. The point that Jesus wanted to make was that this is not how it is meant to be among his followers.

If only.

Returning to the sources of the gospel we are challenged and confronted by the harsh realities of discipleship. Choices are made, somethings are left behind and other things are taken on and the road ahead is never certain or foreseeable. Rather, we proceed one mile or kilometre at a time watching for the next turn and hill.

All service and all positions of leadership – especially Christian inspired – can draw on the prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556):

Teach me to give, and not to count the cost
to fight, and not to heed the wounds,
to toil, and not to seek for rest,
to labour, and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will