Daily reflection _ servanthood not power

SERVANTHOOD NOT POWER
Greatness is seen in servanthood not power, in giving life away not in controlling the lives of other people.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Today the church celebrates the Feast of St. James. In the Gospel of Matthew, James and John's mother comes to Jesus seeking high positions for her sons. Like political supporters who strive for influence in the administration of someone in government, this request was so the two brothers would share in Jesus' power when he governed from on High. In contrast to that way of running the world, Jesus says greatness is seen in servanthood not power, in giving life away not in controlling the lives of other people. James as we know, did come to share in the self-giving of Christ Jesus. He was martyred for his faith within a decade or so of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Saint Pope John Paul II wrote the following in today's reflection in the Magnificat. James the Greater was the brother of John. A tradition has James preaching in Span after Pentecost. Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have made their way on foot to the Apostle's shrine at Santiago de Compostela. The Way to Santiago has been sometimes considered as an example of the Church's pilgrimage on its journey towards the heavenly city. It is a path of prayer and penance, of charity, and solidarity; a stretch of the path of life where the faith, becoming history among mankind.
May we come to share in the self-giving love of Jesus.