The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.
Mt.23:11,12
Today's memorial Gospel is one of those Gospel readings that makes me pause and reflect. What is Jesus meaning when he says we must not call ourselves Rabbi, father and teacher when obviously there are such people who are best described by these titles?
The answer lies in the last two verses. It's a call for spiritual equality and a focus on serving others rather than gaining worldly honor.
The Maori word for authority and prestige is mana. Mana is not to be seized, it is bestowed. I have met people with mana. Usually they are people of quiet humility but their power and authority is almost tangible.
Jesus calls me away from self-seeking status, my natural tendency. His antidote? Humility.
Saints Basil and Gregory, please pray for us.
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