Week
of Prayer for Christian Unity • Day 1 • January 18, 2012
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Jesus Washing Peter's
Feet, by Ford Maddox Brown (1865)
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Changed
by the Servant Christ
Readings
• Zechariah
9:9-10 A king righteous and victorious—and humble
• Psalms
131 My heart is not proud
• Romans
12:3-8 We have different gifts with which to serve
• Mark
10:42-45 The Son of Man came to serve
Commentary
The coming of the Messiah and his victory were accomplished through
service. Jesus wants a spirit of service to fill the hearts of his followers
as well. He teaches us that true greatness consists in serving God and
one’s neighbor. Christ gives us the courage to discover that he is the
one for whom to serve is to reign—as an early Christian saying has
it.
Zechariah’s prophecy concerning a victorious and humble King was fulfilled
in Jesus Christ. He, the King of Peace, comes to his own, to Jerusalem—the
City of Peace. He does not conquer it by deceit or violence, but by gentleness
and humility.
Psalm 131 briefly but eloquently describes the state of spiritual peace
which is the fruit of humility. The picture of a mother and child is a
sign of God’s tender love and of trust in God, to which the entire community
of believers is called. Paul the apostle challenges us to make a sober
and humble assessment of ourselves and to discover our own abilities. While
we have a diversity of gifts we are one body in Christ. In our divisions
each of our traditions has been endowed by the Lord with gifts that we
are called to place at the service of others.
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give
His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10.45). By his service, Christ redeemed
our refusal to serve God. He became an example for repairing all relationships
between people: “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your
servant”—those are the new standards of greatness and priority.
In the Letter to the Romans, Paul reminds us that the diverse gifts
given to us are for service: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation,
giving, leadership and compassion. In our diversity we are always one body
in Christ, and members of one another. The use of our diverse gifts in
common service to humanity makes visible our unity in Christ. The joint
action of Christians for the benefit of humanity, to combat poverty
and ignorance, defend the oppressed, to be concerned about peace and to
preserve life, develop science, culture and art are an expression of the
practical ecumenism which the Church and the world badly need. The imitation
of Christ the Servant provides eloquent testimony to the Gospel, moving
not only minds, but also hearts. Such common service is a sign of the coming
Kingdom of God—the kingdom of the Servant Christ.
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, by travelling the royal road of service Your
Son leads us from the arrogance of our disobedience to humility of heart.
Unite us to one another by Your Holy Spirit, so that through service to
our sisters and brothers, Your true countenance may be revealed; You, who
live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Family Reflection
on Serving
Serving others is not always what we want to do. Sometimes we
have to choose to do what we know is right, and not do what we would prefer
to do. Sometimes when we do that, no one even notices us do it, but
God always notices. Imagine…you are on your way home from school
and you see an old lady struggling to carry her shopping bags. Quite
a few adults pass by ignoring her. You know she cannot be far from
her house but you also know if you stop and help, you will miss the beginning
of your favorite TV program. What should you do? What
would
you do? |
