March 06, 2012
Tuesday
Lenten Weekday
by V. Romeo A. Almeda
Sharing God’s Message to Me
1 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to
his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the
Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for
they preach, but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear,
and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with
their finger. 5 They do all their deeds
to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes
long, 6 and they love the place
of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutations in the market places, and
being called rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are
all brethren. 9 And call no man your
father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for you have
one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Be
Servants of God
11 The greatest among you must be
your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles
himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12
REFLECTION
I was recently aghast at the
actuations of a senator of the Philippines. Well, many of them are of the same
disposition. Outside the senate they call themselves public servants but inside
senate investigations, impeachment courts, etc. they berate the public, the
very public that they supposedly serve.
In community, the designation
"servant" has evolved from what used to be "head,"
which is meaningful because service really comes from the heart. It is not
because one is intellectually superior that he gets to lead a household prayer
group, it is because he has a servant heart. The designation "elder"
has also been taken for granted, not unlike Senior with a capital S. A
Pharisaic nature slowly crept into our hearts with these designations, whether
we admit it or not, and it is correct that these terms are now evolved into
"missionary." It is a reminder of our task at hand, and a removal of
any vain glory of being an elder or a Senior, similar to the vain glory of
being called rabbi or master.
LORD, may your servants be good
shepherds like you. May they have humble hearts to serve their flock, and
become with the Church servus servorum Dei, servant of the servants of
God. Amen.
LORD, let my two eyes see You, my
two ears hear You, my two hands work with You and for You, my two feet go where
I can proclaim You, but let my mind be only one, as You made it, and fixed on
You. Amen.
