Lenten message of Pope Francis from Fratelli Tutti
Digital communication wants to bring everything out into the open; people’s lives are combed over, laid bare and bandied about, often anonymously (FT #42)
TODAY'S WORD
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
Mathew: 23:12 "All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."
TODAY'S REFLECTION
In the gospel reading this morning Jesus contrasts the attitude of the religious leaders of his day who wanted and expected to receive various forms of honour with what should be the attitude of his own disciples, namely the readiness and willingness to serve others.
As Jesus says towards the end of that reading, ‘the greatest among you must be your servant’.
Jesus defines greatness in terms of service of others. Rather than looking for honours from others, Jesus puts before us the ideal of honouring others by serving them.
Rather than trying to attract attention to themselves, like the religious leaders of his day, Jesus calls on his disciples to give attention to others.
It is those who humble themselves in the service of others who will be exalted, whereas those who exalt themselves and look for honour for themselves will be humbled.
Jesus gives expression to his teaching in his own life.
Paul says of Jesus that he emptied himself taking the form of a servant and that he humbled himself, even to the point of death, death on a cross.
We are called to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.
RESOLUTION
Lent is a time when we resolve to enter more fully into the mind and heart of Jesus.
Have a beautiful day. Having the heart and mind of Christ.