From today’s Scripture: “Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”—Mk 10:44

My early ministry in Glenmary was in Georgia and Mississippi and “being a slave” is NOT a desirable image. A couple of years ago, Glenmary took a Civil Rights pilgrimage though Alabama and Mississippi, visiting places where human rights were once denied and the cost of the struggle for human dignity was painfully explored. Yet, Jesus tells us, freedom from the slavery of sin does not lead to power over others. The formerly oppressed ought not become oppressors. Jesus invites us to become servants and slaves for others.

In marriage preparation classes and in family counseling, I tell them to think of the other first. If the wife is thinking of her husband and the husband is thinking about his wife, both needs are met. If the kids are thinking about their parents and the parents are thinking about their children, all needs are met. If we are to be first for God, then we are to be last for others. If every person following Jesus is serving everyone else, we are all served and will rejoice on earth as it is in heaven.

Let us pray: Free all people from slavery that denies human dignity. Give me the grace to freely choose to serve others with joy.

Today’s author is Father Steve Pawelk, second vice president and director of Glenmary’s novitiate program.

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