September 20, 2009: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Showing kindness isn't always easy.

They came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he or she must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35)

Anyone who thinks it’s easy to be a disciple of Jesus, needs to think again! The above selection from Mark’s Gospel, is just one example of many things Jesus said and expects his followers to put into action. Who among us wants to be last or a servant to everyone else? It’s not something we are inclined to do as human beings. We want to be first, in the limelight, noticed, appreciated, etc. Jesus not only tells us what to do as disciples, he showed us. At the Last Supper, he knelt and washed the feet of the disciples; he did the work of a servant. He told the apostles, and he tells us, we must do the same.

Action:

Every day we have many opportunities to do things for others. Many times we don’t feel like it or we don’t want to do something for certain persons. There are many reasons why we don’t – we’re lazy; we’re tired; we don’t like certain people; and so forth. Think about this Gospel next week and choose to do one thing daily you’d rather not do; do it because you are a disciple, a follower of Jesus.