Words for the chosen

Today's gospel recounts a conversation that takes place between Jesus and his chosen band.  He reveals his plan to make his way to Jerusalem.  I can imagine that some of his listeners might have thought that finally he was about to put up a flight for control of the authorities.  After all, had he not been teaching about some kind of new kingdom where the powerless would finally have a voice?

The problem was that Jesus knew that his kingship was (and is) very different from any earthly understanding of kingdom, or of power.

A woman approaches Jesus and asks for a favor, not for herself (she knows that in this case her sons are more important).  If indeed Jesus is going to establish a new kingdom, she wants to guarantee places of honour for her two sons, but she (like us) is misguided if she thinks she understands what Jesus' kingdom is about.  Jesus' kingdom is not based on power or prestige; its built on service and on love.  'The greatest among you must be your servant'.

Power in this kingdom is not judged by entitlement but on willingness to serve and to give away all signs of prestige, wanting nothing from the realm of tangible reward, but trusting that everything needed will be provided.  This is a daily act of surrender, a daily commitment to love.  This is the call for each of us to be disciples who have learned from the Master, and prophets proclaiming this kingdom to the world around us.