Dear Parish Family,

“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”. At first, this seems to us 20th and 21st century North Americans like an easy invitation. A cute child is always appealing. But that is not Jesus' point. Those who study the first-century Mediterranean world tell us that children had the lowest status of all in those societies. Being “servant of all” means being servant of the least, of which this child is an example. But then Jesus proceeds to place this serving of the least in the widest possible perspective. When one serves the least, “in Jesus' name,” that is, acting explicitly as his disciple, one is also acting out one's relationship with Jesus.

There is a connection between our primal need to fight for survival and the general human propensity to grab even more than is needed—for any number of motives (insurance against an uncertain future, the assertion of one's relative worth and status, reprisal against enemies)? History seems to say, yes; a good and primal instinct can develop into an evil and dangerous desire and way of life.

Probably Jesus’ teaching on humility and humbling oneself, might have made the disciples jump into a wrong conclusion of rating themselves the least. Jesus proceeds to teach the art of being first: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mark's word here for “servant” is diakonos. Though diakonos eventually evolves into the name for a distinct role in the Church (deacon), it was used in the ancient world for the kind of menial service usually done by slaves. Thus Jesus is here going counter to any culture by saying that in his group the most desirable status is that of servant.

Jesus impresses upon them and us, a deeper significance of this ‘servant leadership’. The servant disciple is living out the covenant relationship with the Creator, the One who sent Jesus. A cosmic context for such an intimate act, this teaching helps us see the logic of the “preferential option for the poor.” We are to pay special attention to those who are left out because that is the only sure way to serve all. And acknowledging that our most casual human contacts are meant to be seen as part of the divine-human covenant is a prime antidote to our tendency to allow our desire for basic needs to turn into violent competition for all that we can get. Recognizing the Giver can tame our ‘winner takes it all attitude.

Fr. Tom Kunnel. C.O.