HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT YEAR B (1)

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: SERVANT; THE MODEL OF A CHRISTIAN

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Mt. 20:17-28)
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent. (Day 15 of Lent)

In the day’s Gospel Jesus deals with the mother of two of His disciples who wanted to secure the places of her sons on both sides of Jesus’ throne. It was an unusual situation for Jesus. Yet, He took again the opportunity to teach them about Christian service. Jesus cited the cases of Gentile rulers and leaders of authority who lord it over their subjects. They are served rather than the ones to serve. The model of a Christian is a servant.

Servants during the time of Jesus were owned. They have no rights. They exist for their master. They can even be sold. They occupy the lowest place in society. A servant is how a Christian should regard Himself. Titles and positions mean responsibilities in the Christian world.

Appointments do not mean promotions or increases in salaries but more responsibilities and functions. Service is geared towards members and subjects. Their welfare and rights are the prime concern of leaders.

Specifically, Church leaders serve the faithful to help them receive the Good News of salvation as taught and proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Before, political candidates campaign by visiting their places of authority, knock at houses, and say “I am your servant. Allow me to take care of your concerns.” (“Ang inyong lingkod, pa-utusan po ninny!”) Now, so much have changed. People are expected to serve their leaders. Leaders now are just as Jesus said, they rule over their constituents and assert their authority. The welfare of the leaders had become the priority. The welfare of the people comes second.

Indeed, Jesus was honest to communicate that Christian service is not easy. It is not about titles and positions or like lying on a bed of roses. The Christian must be willing to make some sacrifices. If needed, the Christian should be willing to become nothing, unnoticed, and enslaved. The Christian life of service is one of humility. It is not about oneself. It is about the Lord who gave our lives, sustain us through our life, and the destiny of our life.