“And the ten hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to him, and said: ‘You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that are the greater, exercise power upon them. It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister: and he that will be first among you, shall be your servant. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.’”
A mother’s zeal is one matter, but when the Lord rebuked the two, the others realized that Saints John and James had this great ambition to be separated from the flock. They had received an extraordinary honor in beholding the Transfiguration: “And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother… and he was transfigured before them” (Matthew 17:1-2), and sought to be even higher, completely above all, which is not the stairway to the Heart of God. This stairway is the love of others, for there is one commandment: “These things I command you, that you love one another” (John 15:17), and there is no greater art than the art of love: “If any man say, ‘I love God,’ and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he seeth, how can he love God, whom he seeth not?” (1 John 4:20). Jesus, in His gentle love, does not push down the two for their ambition, nor rebukes the ten for their indignation, but immediately dissuades the tension: “If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth” (Ecclesiasticus 28:14), and gathers the twelve together to teach them a lesson on the loftiness of their calling. To the one whom more is given, be it in gifts, knowledge, or height of vocation, more is expected, a greater love and purity is asked of the one that is given any of these: “Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment” (James 3:1), and the Lord sets out what a seat on His throne looks like. Pagan rulers desire preeminence, but the lover of God, in truth, should seek only to love God and make Him loved: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). To desire a great work to be done for this end is magnificent: “Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly” (Ecclesiastes 9:10), but to desire honor and station steps outside of love and looks towards one’s self: “Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves: each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men’s” (Philippians 2:3-4). The office of apostle, prophet, pope, priest, virgin, widow, husband, or wife does not make one righteous, but rather in the loving fulfilment of that office: “For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts: because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God” (Wisdom 6:4-5). Here is shown that love is not merely in good will, but in a cultivated art, something that shows itself in deeds done with effort. Thus, seek the happy life, the beautiful life, the life of love, Theophila, not minding lowness of station, for many are the maids and servants that came to great sanctity, for primacy in Christ is not in power but in the fires of love: “From his loins and upward, and from his loins downward, I saw as it were the resemblance of fire shining round about” (Ezechiel 1:27). The Apostles, at this time, had been with Him for years, and had seen Him ceaselessly serve, joyfully and lovingly putting Himself at the service of others, and to imitate Christ is to do the same: “He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6). What’s more, Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many, that by His life, death, and resurrection, many may be freed from slavery to sin, but St. Paul then says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy pleasing unto God, your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). It is a call, Theophila, to give your life for the salvation of others, to do all things for love’s sake, making your Spouse loved and tending to your spiritual children, be this through ministry, prayer, or fellowship, adapting yourself to all, being approachable by all, bringing a towel and a wash basin into your every encounter. No matter how low you are brought, how little you become, Jesus went lower, and humbled Himself more: “I am Alpha” in glory “and Omega” (Apocalypse 1:8) in servitude. Therefore, seek the lowest place, to give up all for the sake of loving the one before you,