Compete to Serve

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 20, 2015

Mark 9:30-37

“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all (Mar 9:35).”

We are born to be competitors. Biology teaches us that millions of sperm cells race to reach the ovum, and only one becomes the winner. Our families often do not spare us from siblings’ rivalries as we fight to our parents’ favor and attention. Our school system trains us to compete and to become number one in various aspects: math, sport, language, music, even attendance. When we enter the professional world, the competition goes into unimaginable level. Everything is done as long as to achieve the highest position, the biggest profits, and become the most influential person in the company.

When Jesus’ disciples were quarreling among themselves regarding who is the greatest, we may suspect that it was not the first time. Just like us, they were also competitive, and perhaps ambitious. Maybe, Peter claimed that he was the true leader because he just received the keys to the Kingdom. Andrew, in his part, cited that he was the first among disciples to be called by Jesus. John surely emphasized his identity as the favorite of Jesus. Judas could even boast that he was a good bursar. The rivalry could go on and on, and could have been corrosive and deadly, had not Jesus intervened.

Jesus knew well our human nature. Our tendency to compete is not actually bad, and in fact, it has propelled us into creatures of excellence and gives us an untold progress in science and technology. We orbited the earth, we landed on the Moon, and we communicate as if there is no longer barrier of time and space. We generated the finest poetries and discussed lofty ideas. Surely, Jesus did not intend to erase our good human basic feature. Yet, still He recognized that there was something problematic in our affinity to compete.

Thus, His wisdom showed forth when He asked the disciples not to totally stop competing, but to purify their intention and replace their earthly goals with the Gospel’ values. Jesus then said, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Instead racing for the position of highest leader, why don’t we strive to serve another other? Instead pushing others out, why don’t we helping another other to grow and become mature? The goal of our competitiveness is no longer self-serving and self-centered, but it reaches out to others and empower both others and ourselves to create a better society and world. Jesus’ word resonates in St. Peter’s letter, “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Pet 4:10).”

A lot of scientists are laboring for the betterment of humanity, curing deadly diseases, and finding the safer ways to live. Many businessmen work to empower their employees. Countless teachers spend extra hour to enable their students to learn, to act and to live together, despite the reality that they are underpaid. Parents make constant sacrifices so that their children may have the best education. It is true that only one from millions of sperm cells may get inside the ovum, but it can be seen that they are not actually lone racers, but supporting each other, even sacrificing themselves, so that they achieve their common goal. We are born competitors, but we compete for our goodness, other’s empowerment and God’s glory.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP