In real social phenomena, there exist some kind of classes that define who we are or what we do. This
status deploys certain responsibilities in us. In the division of these responsibilities comes seniors,
bosses, employees or lords and subjects. Some may not have search names, however, there exists
a life/social distinctive feature. If we look at this with a keen eye, it sounds awkward and even
sometimes unexpected for ‘Lord’ to serve the subjects or even bosses to serve the juniors. And
even due to such, those beneath us feel unworthy for such services towards them. For those in
higher status or privileges which are even gifts or endowed duly by God’s blessings require a
higher degree of humility and empathy to come down and serve those lower to them due certain
social, economic, spiritual or political factors or any other form of factor that depreciates them.
This does not diminish who we are. It does not make us less. Indeed, it uplifts us to true human
nature. This is why in the gospel Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, and this does not make him
lower. It makes him a true servant. A true leader. A good father or mother in a family lead by
example.
Jesus tells his disciple no slave is greater than the master nor a messenger greater than
the one who sent him. Jesus is telling the disciples always abide by me. Whatever you do has
power originating from me. As St. Paul to Roman 14, tells us, either in death or in living we belong
to God especially by that special attachment through His Son, Jesus. We are not belittling ourselves
as slaves in the world understanding but in the context of our Mother Mary and her fiat, “I am the
handmaid of the Lord, be done to him according to your word-Lk 1:26.” Surrendering ourselves
as vessels of grace and God’s mission to others.
The second aspect in the Gospel is on the side of messenger and the receiver of the messengers.
We are messengers and receivers at the same time. At the end of the mass, the priest tells us, ‘Go
forth and proclaim what you have heard.’ The message is delicate because of its nature of truth. It
challenges many people to change. The messengers have to abide by that truth. They deliver the
same truth. Brothers and sisters, truth is not easily accepted. Jesus' message is not easily adopted
by people. However, we must remain authentic, transparent, and truthful to the one who sends us.
We are witnesses.
On the aspect of the receiver, we should ask ourselves, do we find it hard to accept Christ
messenger? Are there some aspects of our lives that when challenged by Christ message see it as
enemy and fight it instead of transforming ourselves? We should seek true grace of daily
conversion so that we who partake so closely with Jesus, especially in the Eucharist, we may not
be the ones who raise our heels against him. This comes with how we receive the message, the
messenger, and the one who sends the messenger. Anyone can be a messenger, your fellow
workmate, your spouse, your siblings or your own child. Jesus can choose anyone to tell you the
truth that you do not want to hear.
Another reflective questions for us are; Do we deviate from the true teaching of Jesus and attack
the messenger instead of accepting the Gospel teaching?
Do we doubt or find it difficult to adhere to Christ's message because it discards our status quo?
Are we humble enough to serve others, especially the weak, those we perceive are beneath us?
Father Joachim Nganda, C.S.C., is a young priest from Kenya. After completing placements at parishes in East Africa, he has been assigned to Holy Cross Family Ministries in North Easton, Massachusetts, while also pursuing a Master's Degree in Marketing and Communications at Stonehill College.
