Greatness achieved through service
ONE time I was talking to a barangay chairman. I asked him why he keeps on running for the top barangay position.
His reply was: “I want people to have a high regard for me and my family. I want people to recognize me. I feel good when people reach out for my hand and touch it to their foreheads.”
I admired the man’s honest answer, but his motive was very selfcentered.
** * Other people think of greatness in terms of titles and high positions, or outstanding achievements worthy of being included in the Hall of Fame.
Still others think of greatness in having lots of money, even if for some, these are ill-gotten.
But Jesus in the gospel of this 25th Sunday of the year has another idea of greatness. In fact, it is an opposite of what the wo rld holds today.
** * He says, “The first shall be last,” “He who humbles himself shall be exalted,” all expressing a reversal of worldly values.
Jesus stressed, “Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest and whoever wants to rank first… must serve the needs of all.”
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Jesus demonstrated this at the Last Supper when he stooped down and washed the feet of his apostles. They were shocked because such a practice was done only by slaves.
Jesus’ idea of greatness is achieved through service. And service means putting oneself for the good of others.
* ** Understood in this way, people who are achieving greatness in God’s eyes are: parents who raise their children according to Christian values; teachers who inspire students to high ideals; ordinary people who, without fanfare and publicity, reach out to their indigent brethren and underprivileged.
* ** Authority as service applies likewise to political leaders. This is why they are called “public servants”?
Trouble is when they are still candidates wooing voters, they promise to serve the people, but once elected, they want to be served–from service to “serve us”!
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There are different types of service. It can take the form of caring for the emotional and psychological needs of others like offering companionship and friendship; speaking words of hope and encouragement.
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The great teacher Buddha was once asked how one could experience God in reality. He answered: “The great gate of service lies wide open.” The great teacher is saying that if we want to find God, we have to go through the gate of charity by serving the needs of our brothers and sisters. And these people can be our political constituents, our family members, our students, our neighbors.
Jesus Christ summed this up when he said: “Whatever you did to the least of your brethren you did for me.”
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Are you aware that the service you’re doing makes you great before the eyes of God? Are you doing your service lovingly and cheerfully even if it’s difficult?
As a witty writer once said, “The work is hard. The hours are long. The pay is low but the retirement benefits are out of this world.”
Let’s be cheerful givers. St. Paul says: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
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