Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - B October 22, 2006

Isaiah 53: 10-11 Hebrews 4: 14-16 Mark 10: 35-45

Typically, when I am leaving a group, or even an individual, instead of saying a standard “good-bye” I will say “Behave” or “Be good.” The responses that these remarks evoke can be varied. Some will say “Always”; others, “OK”; but, not infrequently, I will hear, “That’s no fun!” It has made me wonder whether the idea of someone “being good” means something that is not enjoyable. It suggests that a person who attempts to be good must be a dour or sad individual who probably is no fun to be around. It might also suggests that the opposite, being bad, is what makes one happy or is enjoyable or is the real way to be and to have fun.

All of this seems to describe an outlook or way of thinking that there is some sort of separation or lack of connection between being good and being happy and truly enjoying life. I thought of this in light of the gospel passage we just heard and the call to service that it proclaims. To be of service to others is viewed only as demanding and difficult and thus would not be considered enjoyable or a source of happiness. But to make a distinction like this, to have such an outlook, is unfortunate. More than that, I believe that it is a distinction that does not acknowledge the true qualities of what we are, the true potential that we possess, as human beings, as reflections or images of God our creator.

One of the classic understandings of what we are capable of being as knowing, loving creatures of God, reflections of God, is the pursuit of excellence. We are free to understand and to be the very best. Whatever talents or abilities any one of us possesses can be used for our own betterment, the betterment of others, the betterment of our world. A very fundamental document of our country that stands as a declaration of what we are as a people describes the right that all people possess: the pursuit of happiness. This is not a call “to party.” It is a recognition that possibilities in our lives ought to be limitless as we strive for goals, for achievement in whatever way we choose.

I understand that as a reality that Jesus seeks to encourage in his followers, in us. In being of service to one another we recognize the true goodness we possess. In being of service to one another, we begin to experience in ourselves and in others the meaning of the love of God and others. In being of service to one another we can overcome what is most destructive and detrimental in human relationships and in life: self-centeredness and selfishness.

The lesson we learn in the Scriptures, in the story of God and in what is revealed of God to us, is God’s on-going, unending effort to reach out in love for us. This is epitomized in the person of Jesus Christ who shared our humanity and gave of himself totally for mankind by being the servant to all humanity. That is the same possibility that is available to all of us in the manner in which each of us can reach, can achieve, can be the very best, can, indeed, be “good.”

In the goodness of service to one another we genuinely reflect the God who gave us life. In the goodness of service to one another we give evidence of the very best qualities we each possess. In the goodness of service to one another, we demonstrate the fullness of the understanding of being followers of Christ, imitators of Jesus - of being Christians.

Rather than diminishing us, or making us sad, or dimming happiness in our lives, the goodness of being of service to one another demonstrates the highest qualities of what we are as creatures, reflections, of our loving and good God.