As they go up to Jerusalem, Jesus keeps announcing to his disciples the sad fate awaiting him in the capital.\u00a0 The disciples do not understand him.\u00a0 They go on arguing for the first places.\u00a0 James and John, disciples since the first hour,\u00a0approach him to ask him point blank that they sit \u201cone at your right and the other at your left.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jesus looks disheartened:\u00a0 \u201cYou do not know what you are asking.\u201d\u00a0 No one in the group seems to understand that to follow him closely as partners in his project will always be a way, not of power and greatness, but of sacrifice and the cross.<\/p>\n
The ten, meanwhile, knowing of the audacity of James and John, are indignant.\u00a0 The group seems more troubled than ever.\u00a0 Ambition is dividing them.\u00a0 Jesus calls all of them together to make clear his thinking.<\/p>\n
First of all, he explains what happens among the people under the Roman Empire.\u00a0 Everybody knows of the abuses committed by Antipas and the Herodian family in Galilee.\u00a0 Jesus summarizes it thus:\u00a0 Those who are recognized as rulers use their power to tyrannize the people, and the great ones do not do anything but oppress their subjects.\u00a0 Jesus cannot be any more categorical:\u00a0 \u201cIt shall not be so among you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He does not want to see among his own something similar:\u00a0 \u201cWhoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.\u201d\u00a0 There is no place in his community for power that oppresses, only for service that helps.\u00a0 He does want rulers seated at his right and left, but only servants like him who give their lives for the rest.<\/p>\n
Jesus makes things clear.\u00a0 His Church is not built from imposition on the part of those who are above, but rather from the service of those who put themselves below.\u00a0 It does not fit in it any hierarchy that is characterized by honor or domination.\u00a0 Nor is there room there for either methods or strategies of power.\u00a0 It is service which builds up the Christian community.<\/p>\n
Jesus gives so much importance to what he is saying that he sets himself up as an example, for he has not come to the world to demand that they serve him, but rather \u201cto serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.\u201d\u00a0 Jesus does not teach anyone to triumph in the Church, but to be of service to the project of the kingdom of God, to be as solicitous as to be willing to do anything, to die, for the weakest and neediest.<\/p>\n
Jesus\u2019 teaching is not only for rulers.\u00a0 Coming from varying walks of life, from our different tasks and duties, we have to commit ourselves to live with greater dedication to the service of his project.\u00a0 We do not need in the Church imitators of James and John, but rather faithful followers of Jesus.\u00a0 Let them work and partner with others, those who think themselves important.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"