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| Ordinary Apostles and the Call to Servanthood |
| (Matthew 4:12-23) |
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| By
modern standards, Jesus did it all wrong. Instead of choosing scholars
and theologians, he chooses fisherman. He doesn't go to Jerusalem or
Rome to start his movement, he goes to Capernaum, a town on the edge of
the Sea of Galilee, far removed from any center of religious faith or
learning. But Jesus had a special reason for coming to Capernaum. You
see, in the first reading of Sunday (Isaiah 8:23-9:3), the Prophet is
talking about the invasions of the Assyrians. Israel was always being
invaded, but the Assyrians were devastating. Capernaum was the town that
suffered the most, all brutally killed. In the minds of the Jews,
Capernaum became known as the place of darkness and death, like the
Hiroshima or Dachau of our day. By going there, Jesus became the
fulfillment of the words of Isaiah. With the coming of Jesus, a people
living in darkness had seen a great light. On those who inhabit land
overshadowed by death, light is risen. |
| So
Jesus begins his ministry in a dark corner of the land and in a place
where people could really use some good news. Whom does he choose to
help him? Fishermen. They must have been captured by the intensity of
the charisma of Jesus, this teacher whose popularity was rising so
rapidly crowds were following Him everywhere. They might have thought
how great it would be to just go along with Him and be there close to
Jesus when he spoke, when he taught. Did they know at the time when
they gave up everything to follow Jesus what He had in mind for them? I
doubt it. But they soon found out. He began to show them what He wanted
them to do, the things that He was doing. And that their role was to
be servants. Not His servants, but a servant, like Him. They were to be
servants to the outcast, the neglected, the poor and Jesus showed them
this very vividly on the night before He died. |
| As
we read in the gospel of John, He washed their feet. The Church is to
be a servant. We, of the Church, need constantly to be reminded of our
servanthood, for it is the servants who bring the light into situations
of darkness. The role model was Jesus Himself. At the end of the
training, He sent His disciples out with orders. Their work was to feed
the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked, house the homeless, visit
the prisoner, comfort the bereaved, provide for the poor, to preach,
teach and care.
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| There
are times when in the comfort of a church at Sunday Mass, we feel
somewhat removed from servanthood. There are times when problems are so
large that all we can do is help with a collection on which so many
works of service depend. And we should not consider this unimportant,
for you are giving more than money. You are giving a portion of your
life and work, a portion of your labor, but is that the only way that
you can be a servant? Is that the only way we can bring light into
darkness? |
| No,
giving money is not the only way. Light is brought into the darkness
by a teacher who cares enough to give that necessary extra bit of
encouragement or time or inspiration to a student who is having
difficulty. Light is brought into the darkness of a depressed soul or a
troubled family or someone who is discouraged, by a counselor or a
friend or neighbor who will just listen. A dismal self-image may be
enlightened by helping someone to see what is worthwhile and good and
positive in their lives. Light is brought into the gloom of the daily
lives of the forgotten folks in a home for the aged or the hospital by
people who care enough to drop by now and then to talk or bring flowers.
Light is brought by a letter or visit to someone whose life has taken a
wrong turn, and may even find themselves in jail. Light is caring for
the forgotten, encouraging the discouraged, light is bringing hope where
has been none. And we are all called to deeds of servanthood such as
these. |
| Jesus
showed us the way. He purposely began His ministry among people who
needed him most—the oppressed, the depressed, the unpopular. He chose
for His disciples ordinary people like us. What is our reward in all
this life of servanthood? Well, our reward is that those who follow and
serve in His name, He will not call servants, but friends.
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| Yours in Christ, |
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| Fr. Robert Warren, S.A. |
| Spiritual Director |
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