The humility of equality

My audio of this reflection is podcast at:http://gnm.org/DailyReflections/podcasts/
Good News ReflectionTuesday of the Second Week of LentMarch 10, 2009
Today's Saint: Dominic Saviohttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/DominicSavio.htm
Today's Readings:Isaiah 1:10, 16-20Ps 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23Matt 23:1-12http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/031009.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_03_10.mp3
The humility of equality
Today's Gospel passage is easily misinterpreted if we take it literally. It's an example of why it's necessary to look beyond our understanding of the words of scripture into the heart of Jesus.
Jesus is not saying that it's wrong to call your dad or a priest "father", nor he is saying that it's a sin to be labeled as a teacher. Take a look at the bigger picture: Parents, priests and teachers are people who are supposed to be signs or reflections of what the True Father is like and what Jesus the True Teacher is like.
The point of today's lesson from Christ is humility. We are not to use our titles, our college degrees, our social or religious status, nor any positions of authority to win favors or to control others. We're not to lord it over the people who serve us, because only Jesus is Lord. Rather, we are to serve those who serve us, like Jesus did (and still does). This is why the Pope is called "the servant of the servants of God". This is the definition of a true leader.
Jesus emphasized this when he washed the feet of his disciples.
As a leader — a parent, a business manager, a priest, the head of a ministry, a sports coach, a teacher, or any role of authority — you received your position from God so that you can make a difference for his kingdom. Did you hear that? You received your position from God so that you can make a difference for HIS KINGDOM!
You are a representative of Jesus himself, even where there is no opportunity to verbally share your religious beliefs.
In imitation of Christ, we care so much about the ones who are under our authority that we're willing to make sacrifices for them. In following Jesus, we take whatever steps are necessary to be loving toward those who follow us, even if it means taking the blame for them, walking with them through hardships, getting nailed by their misunderstanding of us, and sacrificing what we value most. And sometimes what we value most is our feeling of superiority!
In situations where we are not the leader, we're to serve those in authority as if they were Jesus himself. We give love to Jesus by being kind to them and obeying them (as long as they do not lead us into sin).
This is the humility of equality. Only our Creator is the True Father, but we are to treat his representatives here on earth the same way we should treat him. Only Jesus is our True Teacher, but we are to respond to his representatives here on earth the same way we should respond to him. And whenever and however WE are his representatives, we are to serve others the way he serves us.
Walk away from the desire to be superior to others and from the assumption that you're inferior to others. The only superior one is God, and he does not squash you into inferiority. He raises you up to the highest level of preciousness and specialness.
Today's step on the Lenten journey: What roles of authority do you have? Make a commitment to use these positions to reveal more of what Jesus is like.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
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