WE often hear that “politics” exists not only in governments but also in corporations, schools, civic organizations, and even in churches. We find this contention to be true when we understand politics as “the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over government” and of “competition between competing groups or individuals for power and leadership” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Politics then will alway be part of our lives as long as there is a need for control, persuasion, influence, power, authority, and prestige. This need happens also in basic institutions such as marriage and family, where partners compete for control of finance and discipline of children, and were children maneuver for a parent’s love and attention.
Politics enveloped even Jesus’ life and ministry from his birth to his death. The narratives on his infancy were replete with stories of political personages threatened by his coming. Powerful figures in political and religious institutions persistently challenged his ministry. His crucifixion and death were consequences of people’s unwillingness to accept his claim on true authority.
Understanding fully this human condition, Jesus knew where to hit the spot in human nature when it came to teaching men and women and critiquing their lives. “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servants of all,” he told his disciples and others listening to him in the Gospel this Sunday. Then, to illustrate this teaching, he grasped the mind of the Mediterranean world of considering children as the least significant members of the society. He took a child and placed him in their midst and said, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
Jesus here was not merely talking about serving the least of all but becoming the least of all. He knew the tendency of people, such as his disciples, to lose their real sense of purpose with their inordinate desire or hunger for power, authority and prestige. And so, he reminded them to stop their anxious thoughts for competition and claim for power. He called them to serve and not to lord over people.
Many of us, priests and bishops of the Church in the present time, should constantly be aware of this admonition of Christ. We must not preoccupy our minds and hearts with longing for higher and prestigious positions in the hierarchy. Rather, we should focus on the heart of our ministry, which is the proclamation of the Good News and the love of God to all people, particularly the poor, the downtrodden, the defenseless, the sick, the youth and children, the marginalized and all weak members of the society.
All of us, followers of Christ, should never lose the zeal of ministering humbly to the people of God. Robes, titles, and plaques of recognition should never be our concerns, but only the simple desire to bring hope, faith, and love all God’s children.
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].
