Don't hide your light (gifts) under a bushel!

One of the readings in yesterday’s church service was from Mark 10:35-45. In this passage James and John came to Jesus to ask:

"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."

When the other disciples heard about this they were understandably angry, so Jesus called all of the disciples together and reminded them:

"You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave for all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The pastor’s take on this passage was very interesting. He reminded us that the disciples of Jesus were from vastly different backgrounds and temperaments - not a homogenous team. The disciples had very different gifts and would be called on to share those gifts for the good of all. Father Ted reminded us that mankind has a problem which is the need to “be in charge"; to "do it on our own"; and to make demands even when we don’t understand the larger picture. Instead, Father Ted encouraged us to seek wisdom and understanding, saying that a model of shared leadership is one that values diversity, cooperation and wisdom and builds on the gifts of many. He closed his sermon by reminding us:

"We are all servants - in need of grace as well as holders of grace!"