Servant Leader

Gospel          
18 October 2009      
29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mk. 10:35-45

by: Ramir Dimaunahan

Driving leisurely one fine day, I reached a stop light at the corner of Quirino avenue and South superhighway. Quirino Avenue has three lanes for vehicles making a left to South superhighway and another lane which I occupied, for motorists going toward Taft avenue.
While waiting for the light to change, I suddenly decided to go to South superhighway. When it was time to move, I started turning left but a traffic cop flagged me down and I knew I had committed a traffic violation. I pulled over and the cop asked for my driver’s license. While he was looking at my license, I pleaded my case. I could not believe it when the cop handed back my license and told me to be careful next time. Surprises do happen but at that particular moment I understood what authority is about staring at me in the face.
This brings me to my reflection on today’s gospel. Jesus was asked by His disciples, James and John, to let them sit beside Him, one on the left and one on the right in heavenly glory. In reply, our blessed lord lectured the two apostles on levels of authority. The two apostles tried to outdo the others, wanting to be first among them, to be a leader who is in control with power and authority. We act the same way in our dealings at home, in school, at work and in our community. But our lord reminds us of the essence of true leadership which is service.
We may not be given the authority to sit beside the throne of Jesus, but we certainly have full authority to serve and lead people to Christ. We do not need to be all catechists or missionaries to exercise this authority given us. It does not matter if we are poor or uneducated. Titles and power do not count either. All it takes is our will to serve.
The sacrifices we do for the sake of those who have less in life, the mercy we show unto others, the time we share to a depressed soul and our day to day small acts of kindness will lead people to God and make us “Servant Leaders” of Christ.