Homilies

29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: DISCIPLESHIP MEANS SERVICE

A FEW MONTHS AGO, a historical election took place in Japan. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which is the leading opposition party, swept over the House of Representatives through a crushing victory at polls against the powerful Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).  Of the 480 contested seats, some 304 seats were won by the DPJ.  Such change of leadership is the first time in Japan since the end of World War II.  Since 1955, the LDP has been leading Japan until that humiliating lost.  As a result, the new party has chosen a new Prime Minister replacing Prime Minister Taro Aso, considered to be the first Catholic Prime Minister of Japan.

What has brought the wind of change in Japanese politics? After the election, a survey was done and the result showed that most people voted out of anger at the LDP, not so much in enthusiasm for the DPJ. In short there was discontent on the part of the voters over the past leaders of their government. The power of the electorate has indeed brought a new change in the face of the government of Japan, but will the new administration succeed or be true to their promises? Such is still a new phase to view and to unveil.

Reading the news at home (Philippines) in the perimeter of my room gives me a lot of mixed emotions about people who aspire to become the next President and Vice President of my beloved country.  They are like John and James in this Sunday’s gospel, who were fixated in the power of Jesus, and thought that Jesus came in order to bring a new Kingdom. Politicians are like messiahs promising new kingdoms, if not wanting to have power.  John and James appear to be politicians demanding for the top cabinet positions.   

Apparently, man’s thirst for position is not just a recent phenomenon; it has been a part of man’s very survival and extinction, as in the case of many presidents, prime ministers, and even popes in history. This phenomenon is not just limited to a government or an organization.  No less than disciples themselves are vying for “who is the greatest” or who will the “first” or who will be the one to “sit on the left or the right”.  In the Gospel, the other disciples became indignant upon hearing the brothers` appeal. They too wanted these positions, yet they were not as daring as the two brothers to confront their Master and demand it from him. 

Jesus’ approach to the situation was remarkable. He summoned the disciples and told them, “Those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them”.  On the contrary, he expected his disciples to be humble servants to others. Discipleship, in the mind of Jesus, is not to be modeled after the rulers of this world.   Rather, it is something counter-cultural. A Christian leader or disciple is one who is willing to become a lowly servant. The Second Plenary Council (Philippines) envisioned Church leaders to be “servant-leaders.” Who is a servant-leader? He is never obsessed with positions or ranks.  Instead he uses his position for service to others. He is like Jesus, “the Son of man who did not come to be served but served and to give his life as ransom for man.” 

Let us pray then that all aspirants for any office and as well as those charged with authority may take the challenge of the Gospel to serve and offer themselves for others. This Sunday we celebrate the World Mission Sunday. It is a day to pray for all men and women of good will around the world, that is, the missionaries, who willingly and untiringly serve others in response to Jesus` mandate of bringing the Gospel to all the ends of the world.


                                  [Fr Mher Dimarucut, MSP
                                                         Kyoto, Japan]

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