Lent Day 23: Wearing and being the robes of service

There are some vocations and jobs which are meant to reflect service and only service. The way of conduct, the language used and the behaviour are all supposed to reflect this. And yet, somewhere down the line, we have gone far away from this. Jesus’ reminder that he came not to be served but to serve should be an awakening call for all of us. If we can’t respond to our Lord’s call to service, our lent and fasting is of no use. There is not much time to respond, repent and change as the changes in the world point to an end of everything. 

Jesus is very clear when he says in St. Mark 12: 38-39, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts.” The scribes suggested are those who prepared copies of the scripture, those well versed in scripture and in today’s world can also mean bishops, priests, pastors, theologians and even those involved with the administration of the church. These are those who demand respect and the best seats everywhere. The men and women of God should be respected for God’s work that they are doing. Nothing less and nothing more. Those not wearing cassocks and robes try to escape the condemnation of Jesus by saying that we are wearing ordinary clothes. But these very people live luxurious lives otherwise and are only misleading people with their lack of robes stories. 

A service minded bishopric, priesthood, pastorhood, lay leadership and administration has become a thing of the past. This should never be the case. Lent should be a time to be self critical and a time to change. Priests need not expect honour and the best seats. Lent should rather be a time to get ready for the cross. There will be oppression and persecution and we should gladly accept them. Instead of the best seats, we should be ready to be crucified with Christ. 

We should also be critical of politicians because politics has corrupted the church. Political leaders are supposed to take an oath to serve and to be of help to the people. But they only want to rule over people. This is a gross violation of the oath taken in respective assemblies and parliament. Politicians have no qualms in lying, misrepresenting and misquoting to get their things done. Every time they rule instead of serving, they are betraying their country and the people of the country. 

Lent is definitely a time to repent and to serve. We don’t need rulers. We need people who can serve and offer their life for the public. The warning of Jesus is relevant for our times. We need to do away with special chairs, special places and special salutations. All our respect and salutations are supposed to be for our Lord Jesus and no one else. Lent should be Christ centered and Christ based. Amen.