There are three P-s a human person needs to be happy: Pleasure, Possession, and Power. Pleasure makes us relish our present wellbeing. Possession gives us access to obtain our needs. And power enables us to control the environment including people around us. The 3 P’s are needed for happiness. BUT an exaggerated focus on them could leave us unhappy- Being obsessed with pleasure leads to its addiction. Being obsessed with possession leads us to greed. Being obsessed with power leads us to corruption. This is our struggle: to balance our need, our craving for pleasure, possession and power.
If we have been following the gospel readings of these three consecutive Sundays, all from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, we notice that we have been invited to reflect on these three temptations that we face.
The gospel passage of the 27th Sunday (Mk 10:2-16) invited us reflect on marriage and family: Christian marriage is not to be based on the sole principle of pleasure, but on faithfulness and love.
The gospel passage of the 28th Sunday (Mk.10:17-30) was on the inability of the rich man to be a disciple of Jesus because of his possessions. Christian life is to be based on detachment and simplicity.
Today, the 29th Sunday, the gospel reading (Mk.10:35-45) invites us to reflect on power. As Christians we influence our environment not through power and control, but in humble service and willingness to suffer for another.
A battleship had been at sea on its routine manoeuvres under heavy weathers for days. The captain, who was worried about the deteriorating weather conditions, stayed on the bridge to keep an eye on all activities.
One night, the lookout on the bridge suddenly shouted, “Captain! A light up ahead.” “Is it stationary or moving?” the captain asked.
The lookout replied that it seems to be stationary. This meant the battleship was on a dangerous collision course with this other vessel. The captain immediately ordered his signalman to signal to the ship: “We are on a collision course. I advise you to change course 20 degrees east.”
Back came a response from the other ship: “No, You change course 20 degrees west.”
Agitated by the arrogance of the response, the captain asked his signalman to shoot out another message: “I am a captain of the US Navy, you change course 20 degrees east.”
Back came the second response: “I am a Canadian seaman, you still better change course 20 degrees west.”
The captain was furious this time! He shouted to the signalman to send back a final message: “I am a battleship. You better, change course 20 degrees east right now or I’ll ram you.
Back came the flashing response: “Ok Go ahead, I am a lighthouse.”
The captain duly changed course.
Sometimes we are like that Captain. Obsessed with power, wanting to control everything. This reminds us of what Machiavelli once said: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Now, the more we recognize there is somebody bigger than us, then the better we could be humble servants like what Jesus would like of us. In the gospel he reminds us: “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” (Mk.10:43)
Being a servant means giving up my rights for others. In the 2nd
reading from the Hebrews: “We have a high priest who is able to sympathize with
our weaknesses. We have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet
without sin.” (Heb.4.15)
Being a servant means becoming less so others can become more.
Isaiah in the first reading: “The
righteous One, my servant shall bear their iniquities and in doing so shall
make them righteous.” (Is.53:11)
Being a servant means being obedient whatever the cost. “The
Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
for many.” (Mk.10.45)
There is a story of the three stonecutters: "A man asked three stonecutters them what they were doing. The first replied, “I am cutting stones to earn a living. By doing so I get more money. ” The second said, “I am doing the best job of in the world. Doing this give me the greatest pleasure in my life.”
The third person whose name was Francis looked up with a visionary gleam in his eye and said, “I am building a cathedral.” And the man asked:“Why?” And Francis narrates: One day in the church of San Damiano, a chapel right outside of Assisi, I heard the invitation of Jesus: “Francis, go build my Church, which you see is falling into ruins.” And I replied: “Yes Lord! If this is what you want, this is what I want, this is what I long for with all my heart.”
That man was St Francis of Assisi, a truly humble servant. And because of this our Pope chose that name. Pope Francis, and he tells us: “Let us never forget that authentic power is service.”
References:
Selvam, S. (2012). Towards Wholeness.
Wittman, C. (2007). Sermon Series 2. What does Jesus want from us? Humble Service.
Lee, H.T. (2013). Coaching Journey.
George, B. (2013). We are all called to be servant leaders.
Prichard, S. (2014). Lead with Humility.