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05th Sunday in Lent, Ocala 4/9/06 "He who would be first among you, shall be a servant to all" Mark 10:44 This is the closing phrase of our Lord, as quoted in today's Gospel lesson. The principle emphasized in the verse I just mentioned, may perhaps be somewhat difficult to conceive, when we first hear it. But, it is these type of teachings, that have set Christianity apart, and above all other religions, as well as philosophical, or social systems. They may have appeared radical at that time for the listeners, but the Godman knew that these teachings would definitely elevate people to lofty heights. This particular verse teaches us the glory of humility, as one of the great virtues. It is especially significant now, that we are on the portals of the awesome Holy Week, when the Lord gave us so many vivid examples of the value of this great virtue. History reveals to us, that up until the Lord's time, the theory, or teaching that, "if you wanted to be first, you would .have to become a servant to all," truly was unbelievable. People in the pre-Christian era, as so many still believe until today, that to become first, -to get to the top, -- one must exert every power within his or her reach, and to use it to the utmost, regardless of what their conscience was saying, or says to them. But the Lord of all, our Eternal God, changes this whole way of thinking, and axiomatically states: "if you are to become first, it must not be through arrogance, or vain ambition, but through humility. "Since vain ambition, or egocentric aspiration, ---- or, to put it bluntly, lust for power and position, truly distorts, and often degenerates character, I think it is appropriate today to offer a few thoughts on this subject, --- especially since we are, as I stated, on the threshold of Holy Week, which demands true humility, or humbleness from everyone. According to today's Gospel lesson, it was one of the Lord's last days on earth. He was proceeding toward Jerusalem with His Disciples. On the way He stopped, as He often did, for a moment of prayer. Having finished His prayer, He announced to His Disciples prophetic words, by foretelling them of the trials, the humiliation, and finally His death upon the Cross, all of which., He was to endure. However, He reassured them, that this was not to be the end, because, on the third day He would arise in Glory. The Disciples apparently were little moved by the Lord's foretelling His sufferings, which were close at hand. Perhaps, they could not conceive the tragic events, which were to experienced a few days after. Rather, they selfishly reasoned, that perhaps the time had come for them to be rewarded, after having followed the Lord faithfully for three years. Two of His most beloved Disciples, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forth to make a specific request. When questioned by the Lord what their request was, they said: "Lord, we would like for us, --- one to sit on your right, and the other to your left, when you come into your glory." Thereupon the Lord, in order to curb their foolish and vain ambition said to them: "You don't know what you are asking. The sitting on my right or left, is not for Me to grant. These places belong to those, for whom they are prepared. You know, the Lord continued, that those, who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles, lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. But it is not so for you. Instead, ---whoever wants to be first among you, must be a servant to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45 Vain ambition is catastrophic, --- most assuredly for the person who is vainly ambitious, but oftentimes even for others, who come under his or her influence. However, to be sensibly ambitious, and to have noble aspirations in life is truly a blessing, because it is constructive, and without a doubt uplifting. Without noble ambition, there could be no progress. Noble ambition really increases the caliber of society. For instance, when a person who is selected to govern, and selflessly strives to do his or her utmost for the people, who put their trust in them, living conditions automatically become better. --- Our society benefits and elevates itself, when each citizen aspires to be a useful member of our Nation. ---- Our society also benefits, when the Clergyman seeks to become the example of his flock; --- when the scientist seeks to make discoveries to benefit humankind; --- when the teacher strives to impart knowledge, without forgetting that the students also have a spiritual counterpart; --- when the employer aspires to be fair to his employees, and visa versa; --- when the faithful seek to promote the Faith and so on. All these and other similar endeavors become fruitful and beneficial to society, when noble ambition is the foundation. Unfortunately, so many vain people are ambitious strictly for selfish motives. They seek importance and power, only to dominate, and to win the praise of others. James and John disregarded the announced trials and tribulations of their Master, and selfishly asked for thrones of Glory. This is an example of vain, or selfish ambition. The vainly ambitious person is a detriment, and also a danger to his family, to organizations, to the Community, even to the Church, and to society in general. There is nothing sacred for him or her. These people have no morals. We see them jockeying for position, only for recognition, whether it be in our work, or in any organization. They seek, and often succeed in attaining a position, which demands a person of sterling character with high moral principles. Thus, society suffers from the results. Because, where we should have a person with strong moral light-power, we experience nothing but the darkness, spread by the vainly ambitious person; and when this darkness reigns, so many stumble and fall. For this reason, Christianity places before us the danger signal; --- to protect us from the great evil of vain, or false ambition, as well as from other evils, which not only humiliate us, but also estrange us from God, endangering the death of our soul! Now that we are only one week away from the most awesome Week, we are summoned to participate in our Lord's Passion. And to do this we must make every effort to free ourselves from the shackles of our passions and sinful habits. We are called upon to fortify our soul with the supreme Christian virtues, which are rooted in humility. It is apropos to mention here the unique example of humility. Our Lord, the Lord of all, exemplifying humility, washed the feet of His Disciples, shortly before His Passion, in order that He could emphasize the breadth and the depth of humility. How supreme it would be for our society, if instead of people striving simply to be first, we would place Christ our Lord, as primary in our life, and in all our endeavors. If Christians would truly permit Christ to be primary in our life, and to be the Ruler of our heart, rest assured, that there would be no real problems, simply because, our heart would be replete with His love, --- with His peace --- and with His hope, --- for all that is fine, --all that is supreme, --- and all that is lofty. This is the ideal state of a true Christian. And it is toward this end, that each of us must conscientiously labor to attain. Amen. + Fr. George Papadeas
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