“If Anyone Wishes To Be First, He Shall Be The Last…And…Servant Of All.”

God and the world strive to be the best.  The difference is in their approach.

It is no secret that the world, for the most part, defines “best” as being Number One.  Society usually breaks it down into three areas: Wealth, Power and Fame.  On an overall scale, the United States, China and Russia lead in all three categories.  It is the subjectivity of how one specifies the strength in each category that decides who or what is number One in the past, now and for the future as all three can claim victory for any number of particular times.

Rather than rehash history or speculate on the future, let’s take what is known to us at face value now.

China has more people than U.S. or Russia combined.  That being written, by the sure weight of humans, they could claim they are Number One in all areas.  But, as a communist country, their population may be forced to agree with the government, so the actuality may not be reality.  Any documented statistic in their favor would be hard to disprove as to its truth.  In addition, China does not, as a norm, publicize a lot of facts, unless they receive an advantage by doing so.

Russia approaches their braggadocio about strength in all three categories by how they control vast areas of land and people throughout the world.  The U.S. publicizes everything from the insignificant through the most outlandish, so that everyone is aware of how influential they are globally.

Obviously, this is one man’s opinion based on seven decades plus of living in the U.S. and observing the world through all types of communicative platforms that either uplift or downplay accuracy.  But, it also is an observation based on approaches of man’s discernment of the world versus God’s.  In essence, they are contrasting and provide a different outcome that offers favor or downfall for a period of time that one lives.  It is one’s lifetime that determines the crux of which approach provides for the “best.”

The world states in numerous ways that wealth, power and fame will give one what he or she needs or wants to live their best life.   It provides them with controls of protection to eliminate interference from others who have not chosen or are unable to take the same route.  They believe, in many respects, they are entitled so that anything they do should not be questioned.  Haven’t we all either met, know of or have seen through worldwide communications people like this who are number one or the best in their and other’s assessments?

Jesus in St. Mark’s Gospel today tells His 12 Apostles who were arguing about who is first: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all.” 

A human in his early 30s who is a poor itinerant preacher tells His followers of the last three years to not only ignore, but renounce the world’s take on being the “best” or “first.”  Based on what He just said, their thoughts are about how is He going to defeat the Romans and make the Jews the powerful leaders they once were based on how they understood sacred scriptures from the Bible?    

Given they believe He is the Son of God who has fed thousands of people on five loaves and two fish, cured hundreds of people of serious and incurable illnesses, taken the Jewish leadership to task and tells them He will suffer, die on a cross for their sins, they are faced with a dilemma.  They are asking themselves, if this truly is the person I want to follow to live forever?

If that were not enough, He tells His disciples: “Whoever receives one child such as this (the one who Jesus called to Him and embraces) in My name, receives Me.”  In other words, we are to care for the most vulnerable of society: The poor, hungry, homeless, incarcerated, sick, dying, orphans, widows, impoverished, marginalized and disenfranchised if we want to be “first” or the “best.”  In doing so, we also become vulnerable and must rely totally on the Holy Trinity for our life on earth and afterwards (a place not covered by a humanity that seeks wealth, power and fame).

St. James’ Letter supports Jesus approach of rejection to the world warning disciples against jealousy and selfish ambition.  The Book of Wisdom adds that we are to seek gentleness and patience among our chosen virtues to follow Jesus.

Let us take this week to become more aware of our own self-centeredness and be a little more aware of other people and their needs as well.  Our dilemma may not be how we are to follow Jesus at all, but how can we be the best in what we do as His disciples.

Reading 1: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Reading 2: James 3: 16-4:3
Gospel: Mark 9: 30-37