HUMBLE SERVANT

At the heart of the Gospel of Matthew proclaimed last Sunday is the truth. Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted! (Matthew 23:12)” Greatness means service because service is love in action. The saints understood that because they became humble servants. Jesus, the Author of life and Creator of the universe, became our Suffering Servant and even our Slave. He became poor so that we become rich. On the Cross He manifested God’s total, extravagant and boundless love. He is the (Mt 20:28). Jesus criticized the scribes and the Pharisees because of abuse of their religious authority for self gain. They were supposed to be the teachers of the law. He criticized them because of their failure to teach by example. There was no consistency between their words and actions. They  burdened the people while failing to act themselves. They imposed obligations and moral duties upon the people but they themselves did not practice. All  their works are performed to be seen! (Mt 23:5) They acted for the wrong reasons. They wanted to make an impression on others, calling attention to  themselves. What mattered to them was outward display of piety and scrupulous observance of the law. Jesus’ criticism was addressed to the religious  leaders two thousand years ago and still is relevant today in our society, in our families and in our Church. Authority is founded and modelled on the  fatherhood and teaching authority of God. Jesus passes on His authority to the Church and it is always for the well being of the community. Greatness is when I use my God given talents to benefit the people around me. When I do that then I am truly the humble servant of God.