A Service Industry

The gospel of St. Mark portrays the twelve Apostles as twelve ordinary people, with all their dreams, hopes and ambitions and weaknesses. With these twelve ordinary men Jesus set out to change the world. But first of all he had to start and get his chosen ones ready for that mission. These men were living with the hope that the man who could heal the sick and forgive sins could surely give his own people victory over the Roman Army. They wanted to be part of that great endeavor. Jesus set them straight. Jesus’ kingdom is not about who wears the crown but who bears the cross. So he asks the powerbrokers: “Can you drink the cup I must drink of, and be baptized by the baptism I must undergo?” They said “Yes”, but Jesus reminded them that they could share in his cup of suffering – his cross – but it was not his place to assign positions of authority in the Kingdom of His Heavenly Father.

Jesus drew a clear line between the earthly kingdom his Apostles were dreaming about and the Kingdom he came to establish. In the kingdom of this earth the key is ‘power’. How much power have I got? How many people can I control with money and power? One of the old Roman Emperors on taking over the Empire said: “Now I have power; I can do what I like, and do it to anyone, whether I like them or not.” In the kingdom of Christ, on the other hand, the key word is not power but service. The test is not what I can get, but what I can give. Greatness does not consist in reducing other people to my service, but reducing me in theirs. That is also sound common sense! People in the car repair business tell us that their people are ready to crawl under your care more often and get themselves dirtier more often than competitors in the area. They are prepared to give more and better service! Jesus gives us a vision of greatness in his Kingdom! Jesus’ image of authority is the one who is servant of all! Jesus does not ask of us what he is not prepared to do himself! He does what he asks others to do: to give freely and not demand everyone’s worship, to reach out and help the needy, and not wait for adoring approval! Christian discipleship is a service industry in which there should be no unemployment. There is work for everyone! As we become aware of the giftedness of all God’s people, we see many more and new ministries coming to life in the Church. This should continue until all Christians feel that their service is not only called for, but is actually wanted in the Church. When that happens, we shall truly be a serving people. “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for the many.” [Mark 10:45]

Prayer for Missionaries

O almighty God, Lord of the harvest of souls, we ask you to guide and bless all who have gone forth to preach the gospel. Endow them with the gifts of generosity and concern. Send your Holy Spirit on them, that he may strengthen them in weakness, comfort them in trials and direct their efforts. May he open the hearts of their hearers to receive your message. Let your revelation enlighten all minds for the salvation of souls, and let your love heal every heart and body for the happiness of each person. May all people consciously acknowledge you and serve you by living the teachings of Your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.