Reading I: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Reading II: James 3:16-4:3
GOSPEL: Mark 9:30-37
The Anchorman
It’s no fun being the last person in line. The food is picked-over and cold (or dried-out and crispy). You get the worst seat (or no seat at all). And you miss half the conversation and fun. Where is the virtue in that?!
Yet Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” A simple phrase. A difficult concept. And in many ways, the basic principle of being a Christian.
Do Good for Whom?
The life of Jesus, and all of the things he did, exemplifies the idea of servanthood. In fact, the very reason for his coming was to sacrifice himself to save humanity. How much more can one do for another?
So why is it that so many of us Christians focus on “being good people?” Shouldn’t we be working on “being good for people?” And if we’re not being good for other people, then who are we being good for?
Do Good for Jesus
It should be common knowledge that we cannot “earn” our way to heaven. No amount of good works will get us there, for the only way to the Father is through the Son. Jesus was very clear about that – but he was also very clear about how we are to show our love for him.
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
The way we exemplify our faith is by serving others. Jesus used a child as an example, but there are many people in our world who are just as helpless, if not more so. When we reach out to those people and put them ahead of ourselves, we are doing that for Jesus in a very real way.
Being the Anchorman
It’s not an easy thing to do. I struggle with it every day. But it helps when I look at the glass as being half full instead of half empty. Rather than thinking of myself as being last, I think of others as being first. And when I look at it that way, I get a feeling of great satisfaction.
There is nothing wrong with bringing up the rear. It is not a terrible place to be. Sometimes it is humbling to allow others to go first, grab the glory, or bask in the limelight. But we are the Body of Christ, and in many ways that makes us a team. And every good team needs a strong anchorman.
Life Applications:
What does it feel like to let others go first?
How do you show Jesus that you love him?
Why is it noble to be the anchorman?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B):
Original article by Brandon Jubar, 2003-2021.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.