Servant of All

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. Mark 9:30-41

We live in a society where winning is prized above all, and those who scheme and manipulate seem to get our respect and admiration. As soon as there is an opening in an organization, folks start scheming and plotting about how they can take power for themselves. We find the disciples arguing and scheming as they walked along. Jesus called them to be servants and to serve the most vulnerable. We are called to do likewise. Getting our way is not God's way.

Gracious Creator, source of all goodness

you put us on this earth to learn to serve

knowing as we serve we are truly blessed

as we care for the least we find great honor.

The world is in turmoil and pain around us

we have forgotten to serve and take up arms

you remind us today that love is our weapon

a gift we can increase as we share your love.

Let us be those who joyfully serve others

who seek out the most vulnerable to care for

bless us with your compassion and tenderness

so our service might bring forth true blessings. Amen.