Homily – September 19, 2021 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Rev. James L. Nadeau, Pastor

I.) Jesus had just announced to His disciples that He would be going to Jerusalem where He would die. Clearly the Disciples did not understand. Rather, they began a discussion about their status within the group – evidently it was a heated one.

II.) Jesus seized the opportunity to make a point and to turn a commonly held idea upside down.
While status was important in Jesus’ culture, it means nothing in the Kingdom of God. To be a true disciple means to become truly humble.
For Jesus, humility was to assume the lowest rank in society. Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

III.) This was radical stuff. It was a way of thinking that cost Jesus many of His disciples. Some followed Jesus in order to gain status. Some did believe He was the Messiah.  Jesus turned these notions upside down and gave us a new way to be disciples.

IV. Jesus’ radical call is one of humble service. We are to serve without thought of ourselves. This is what Jesus did; it is the example we see in the lives of the Saints and something we are called to grasp and to live. 

How are we serving our community, our church, our family?