TRUE GREATNESS

A reflection from John 13: 16-20

          The whole life of Jesus was a constant emptying of himself (kenosis), taking the form of a servant, because he came to serve and not to be served. So should act everyone who wishes to follow him. Let us recall what he says to the two sons of Zebedee who sought position of outstanding in the group: “... It won’t be so among you.” To Peter, who tried to prevent him from performing the messianism of the Servant of Yahweh, he says: “Get thee away from me ...” The whole teaching of Jesus is an invitation to think and act differently. It is a logic that contradicts the mentality of his time: to be the last in order to be first, to lose the life in order to win it, die in order to live. Thus, in the new community that is born, the relationships become humanizing, because nobody pursues its own interests, but the good of all. Hence it is understood that the Christian community is to serve life and not to maintain privileges. The Master himself becomes the Server.

The Church is all ministerial because it is born from the mission of the Son of God who became a servant of love. If the Church loses service feature it will cease to be the Church of Jesus Christ. Because of some historical circumstances, this feature was not always evident, causing loss of credibility. Recently, statements as of the Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, has helped us to realize that we need to resume the initial path: “All of us, before of the conclave, we agreed on two keys things: they should be restored to the Church's credibility and the relevance of the Church in the world.” After the election of the new pope, the African Cardinal explains: “We have a great task: to rebuild the credibility of the Church and perhaps a poor Church is able to do that.” Surprisingly, the pope Francis, talking about his role, said: “Power is to serve”, a service which means “to open our arms to all the people of God and embrace with affection and tenderness all mankind.” This is the Church which, as the Master, divests himself of the robe and takes the towel of the service. Here is the help that we have to give in a world marked by accumulation, competition and individualism.

If we are sent as servants for such task is because we gain the confidence of the Master which states: “I know those who have chosen”. Jesus knows us deeply and calls us to follow him. He wants to rely on our help to spread his kingdom forever more. He identifies himself with those he sends in his own name because he willingly shares with us his kingdom. Thus, one who surrenders to the Lord to serve brothers and sisters is involved in the same communion who the Son establishes with the Father. May He grants us the grace to understand that the true greatness consists in the cheerful and generous service for the good of others, so that the Father who art in heaven may be glorified.

Pe. Degaaxé

Revision: Brother Cipriano

ONLY THOSE WHO LOVE ARE ABLE TO SERVE

A reflection from John 13, 1-15

Christian liturgy is rooted in Jewish worship, which has at its center Yahweh, the God who decided to make history with his people and establish with them a covenant of love. The celebration of Easter is central in the life of this people and their sense has matured over the centuries: "From a party spring and pasture, it received a new sense with the liberation from Egypt. But all this prepared the people to receive their full meaning in Jesus Christ, who made ​​sacrifice himself for the liberation of all humanity" (U. Zilles).

          In fact, Jesus is not establish a new Passover, but realizes, through his life, death and resurrection, the fullness of Easter, giving a new meaning to many rites and liturgics feasts. Using the Jewish ritual, he announces to his disciples the full liberation that was coming and that he longed ardently to share with his friends. In this supper in an atmosphere of great expectancy and familiarity, Jesus gives himself as food, anticipating in ritual way what was going to happen with him on the cross. Through symbolic gestures, he expresses the sense of his free gift, a characteristic that marked all his life and that it should also be part on the lives of his followers. Therefore, he washes the feet of his disciples, giving testimony of deep humility and self-emptiness (kenosis), uniting forever the celebration of his Body and Blood the fraternal charity. Those who will continue in the world the work of the Master assume new posture, characterized by the attitude of service, by the regard of one another and by share, where new relationships are established.

Jesus is the Master server, who loves until the last consequences. Knowing that love requires presence, he perpetuates his presence in the world through the Eucharist. The Eucharist is an expression of free gift of Christ and gesture of love that becomes service. In this context it makes sense the ministerial of priesthood, sign of Christ Pastor that continues caring and guiding his Flock. By the common priesthood of the faithful, we become one body with Christ and thus responsible for its building in love. The Eucharist only makes sense if it is an expression of brotherly love and only those who love are able to serve. Only those who love truly are able to go up to the last consequences. Only the love produces communion and only the things made ​​with love have them consistency. By the Eucharist we are really transformed into what we celebrate, accepting the reality of the Paschal Mystery as "Passover of Christ in Easter of us, Easter of us in the Passover of Christ" (CNBB, doc. 43, n. 300). So After each Eucharistic celebration we accept the challenge to return to daily activities as witnesses of Christ who gives his life for love for all people to have a full life.

 

Pe. Degaaxé

            Revisão: Brother Cipriano