THE WAY TO BLESSEDNESS
The late Jaime Cardinal Sin adopted Serviamas his motto. He meant to spend his episcopacy in service of God and the faithful. Even in sickness, he still performed his ministerial functions as archbishop of Manila and cardinal of the Pope. I saw how he struggled and winced in pain whenever he would celebrate Mass or ordain new priests, yet he never complained. He knew that it was part of his service. When he was ill, fewer priests dared to approach him to ask for a vacation. Cardinal Sin would always ask them why, and if they gave tiredness and sickness as reasons, the Cardinal would always point to himself who needed more rest and is definitely more sick than they were!
Intrigue beset the Apostles of Jesus when the mother of Zebedee’s sons asked the Lord to secure for her sons prime positions in the Lord’s Kingdom. Jesus took the opportunity to give them a lesson on service. He asked them if they could drink the cup that He would drink, that is, to go through what Jesus would go through. Even if they answered yes, Jesus still reminded them that it will be a grace from the Father. It is not meant for everyone, but when given, hopefully, the receiver will accept it.
Then came the meat of the Lord’s message. Citing the lordship of the rulers and authorities during His time, He told His Apostles that the Christian way is different. He used the powerful image of the slave to tell them what Christian service is, which is always to wish and ascertain the good of the other before one’s own. Self comes least and last. In John’s words, “He must increase. I must decrease.”
Following Christ is no picnic in the park. He was honest enough to tell us what’s in store for us. For this reason, many left and abandoned the faith. But many remained and persisted for the same reason, too. Suffering and martyrdom are forms of service, not punishment. Done in faith and for the love of God, it is called blessedness! Fr. Benny Tuazon
REFLECTION QUESTION: How ready are you to drink the cup of suffering in doing your bit as a Christian servant?
Jesus, grant me the grace to answer every call for service, big or small.
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