Power and Servanthood

It takes more strength to lift someone up than it does to stand on their shoulders.

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” - St. Mark 9:35

I've been thinking a lot lately, and I believe I've finally nailed down the most treacherous time in our lives. It's that phase we all muddle through, and let's be honest, very few of us make it out unscathed. It's when our world flips upside down, and we're fed a narrative that sticks with us, often to our own detriment for the rest of our lives.

Middle School.

Yep, those cringe-worthy years of awkward growth spurts, social hierarchies, and the brutal awakening that the world isn't as kind as we once believed. It's when we're first sold the idea that life is a zero-sum game. A relentless competition where you're either a winner or a loser.

For many of us, middle school is when we start noticing that some kids act like they're better than us. Maybe we even start playing the same game, making sure others know they're not as good as we are. It's a heartbreaking chapter, and honestly, it's a wonder we learn any math or grammar amidst all that.

The story we're taught is clear. Life is a race. A mad dash to earn greatness, to secure a position. Hustle hard, or get left behind. But here's the kicker, what if this narrative isn't true? What if the story that's been drilled into us, the one that's caused tears and even spilled blood, is a lie?

This false narrative is ancient. It dates back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve turned against God's goodness, chasing after a position rather than trusting His promises. It's echoed in the voices of bullies throughout history, condemning the righteous for standing against the tide.

So why do we buy into the idea that stepping on others is the only way up? This mindset is the opposite of loving your neighbor. It's a narrative of power plays and rivalry that forces us to see others not as friends, but as threats. It turns us into lone wolves in a world craving community.

Just like a loud, bombastic politician, the proponents of this narrative shout so aggressively that we start to believe them. And the alternative seems naive. How could serving others possibly lead to greatness? In our cutthroat world, isn't that just a recipe for getting walked all over?

But we're not meant to play by these broken rules. We're called to flip the script.

In our Gospel story, Jesus tackles this lie head-on. His own disciples get caught up arguing about who's the greatest among them. It's almost comforting (and a bit funny) to realize that even they weren't immune to this ego trap. Just like bullies in Middle School, When Jesus asks what they're squabbling about, they go silent.

Then Jesus drops a truth bomb: "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

This is the real narrative. The story we were designed to live into. As members of God's Kingdom, this statement should reshape how we approach life and relationships. We don't need to elbow our way to the front. We don't have to fight for scraps in the rat race.

Our worth isn't tied to our hustle. It's anchored in Him. Our actions aren't about undoing the harm others have caused us but about glorifying the One who empowers us.

So, instead of climbing over others to reach the top, true leadership means extending a hand to lift others up. It means being a servant to the oppressed, the hurting, the lost, and the broken. It's about building community, not competition.

We can finally take a deep breath and stop the relentless hustle.

We don't have to fear not being enough or not having enough, the anxieties that fuel our obsession with power, wealth, and status. We can let those go.

But how do we make this shift? How do we live out this countercultural story that Jesus offers?

First, we recognize that through Jesus' ultimate act of humility, His death, He was glorified. He corrected the oppressive power struggle that began in the garden.

Through our connection with Him, our Baptism, we're invited into this right way up way of living. a life that leads to true flourishing. Life in the Kingdom of God.

Each week, we receive Jesus through communion. We give all of ourselves to Him in the Offertory and receive His grace to live a life of purpose and greatness—a life we could never live alone.

Through these Sacraments, we are first and foremost empowered to go out into the world and live into this narrative, to share its truth with others.

Yeah, it's easier said than done. Changing deeply ingrained habits and thought patterns is tough work, but it's possible if we surrender them to Christ.

Think back to before you bought into the competitive mindset. Before that voice told you to toughen up or get left behind. Revisit that moment and listen to Jesus' words. Hear Him as he lifts you on his knee as He did the child in our lesson, and say that you are to be received as you are. That your worth is grounded in Him, not in what you accomplish.

With that affirmation, you are free. You are now able to love and serve others genuinely.

So, let's let this truth reshape our relationships.

Recognizing that servant leadership is not about proving you are in charge as much as it is about using your strength to lift others up.

At Home: Be present with your loved ones. Offer help without being asked. Lead by serving.

At Work: Collaborate instead of compete. Celebrate others' successes. Be a mentor, not a rival. Placing the needs of those we serve above our desires.

In Your Community: Volunteer your time and skills. Reach out to those who feel invisible. Take an active role in building others up.

Take an active role in the body of Christ.

Believing and living out this true narrative isn't the easy path. But if we trust in these truths, we can step into a life of service and experience the freedom and joy that come with it.

Let's ditch the middle school mindset. Let's choose service over self-promotion. Let's be the change that turns the world's narrative on its head.

In the spirit of love and humility, let's embrace the life we were made for.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.