Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

The greatest among you must be a servant.
But those who exalt themselves will be
humbled, and those who humble themselves
will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12, NLT

Reflection:

Jesus Christ was a radical.
He was absolutely not a believer
in the status quo. Every part of
His ministry challenged society's
norm. Christ showed us that just
because the leaders of the church,
the government, of society in
general, say some
thing, "It just don't make it so'"
Today's verse is a perfect example.
To many in our society greatness
is defined as possessing ego, power,
wealth, and status. To Jesus Christ,
greatness comes from serving and
giving of yourself to help God and
others. Jesus taught us that service
keeps us aware of others' needs,
and it stops us from focusing
only on ourselves. I would like
to remind you that Jesus Christ
came into this world not as the
leader of the status quo but as
a servant of the people. The
question remains, "What kind
of greatness do you seek."

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . . hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . . joy
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . as to console
To be understood . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . . that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . . that we are born to eternal life.

In Jesus Name Amen