Earlier this week we celebrated "President's Day" – all American presidents in general, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington in particular. We all know that one of Abraham Lincoln's landmark achievements was to "free the slaves." The very thought of slavery, and conditions in which slaves at the time lived, are still repulsive to us to this day! Freedom is the hallmark of being human – every person on the earth is human – and thus deserves to live in freedom!
But in the gospel passage today Jesus teaches us that what was unique about him was that using his entire freedom – he chose to take on the form of a servant – a suffering servant – a slave – being born in the likeness of men! He humbled himself and was born as one like us – to free us – from our slavery to sin! This is the real slavery that is fatal to all who are not freed from it!
In the gospel passage Jesus describes what he will go through to obtain forgiveness of sins: which would entail: going to Jerusalem, being handed over to the chief priests and scribes, who will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, scourged and crucified – and he will be raised on the third day!
The mother of James and John see the glory in all this and wants her sons to have a front row seat in the kingdom when all is said and done! Jesus tells her that these places are reserved for use by his Father! And if anyone wants a place of honor, or to be considered great: then he/she must serve the needs of others: he/she must be a slave JUST AS JESUS HIMSELF CAME TO BE A SLAVE! Jesus did not come to serve himself – at all – but to give his life in ransom for the many!
In the first reading today, Jeremiah, a spokesman, a prophet of God, hears people whispering and taunting him from the sidelines as he tries to do his job of persuading the people to turn from their slavery to sin, and persuading God not to deal harshly with them – it is our duty and our job as baptized Catholics to do the same thing, especially during Lent – to persuade people to turn from their senseless, useless slavery to sin, and to pray to God not to deal harshly with them who either do turn away or those who don't.
We too must be slaves of Christ – for that is our joy – that is our glory – that is our freedom - that is our hope of a good seat in heaven! James and John had to drink the cup of the Lord's suffering – so will we – but for those who have faith – it will all work out in the end – when the Lord will save us in his kindness!
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