Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 22:14-23:56
Our lesson from Isaiah describes the suffering servant. St. Paul tells us that Christ emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.
At the beginning of today’s gospel, we sit at the Last Supper with Jesus and the disciples. Jesus shares the bread and the cup with them and then he says that one of them is going to betray him. In shock, they wonder who could do this. Then they begin to argue among themselves about who is the greatest.
In response to this, Jesus contrasts his kind of kingship and power with the world’s view of power. He says, “I am among you as one who serves.” If we are going to follow our Lord, we, too, must be servants.
This past Tuesday, on the feast day of St. Joseph, Pope Francis I celebrated his installation mass. In his sermon, Pope Francis said that “authentic power is service,” and he called all of us to protect God’s creation and to protect each other, especially those who are the weakest. He said that, “caring, protecting demands goodness, it calls for a certain tenderness.” The sermon was all the more moving because Pope Francis lives these principles in his daily life. I thank God for this inspiring leader of our faith who is such an example of servanthood.
During Holy Week. We will see again and again Jesus’ love for us, and his giving of himself to lead us into a new way of living. As we walk the way of the Cross, may we become more and more aware of Christ’s love for us, and may we answer his call to serve others in his name.
Amen.
Filed under: Reverend Janet Brown, Sermons | Tagged: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Luke 22:14-23:56, Palm Sunday, Philippians 2:5-11, Pope Francis, Psalm 31:9-16, servanthood, St. Joseph |
Grace Episcopal Church (Sheldon, VT) 