Humility, Submission and Service

Rev Fr Ekeshiri Jude Emeka CSSP.

Greatness is the ability to achieve a position of honor. It is not a matter of position or status, but it is gotten through hard work and diligence from following the three keys of humility, submission and service.

The relationship between a servant and a master is ordinarily a relationship that is unequal. No master would want to be a servant and there is no servant that would want to remain a servant. Very often, the master is usually proud and domineering towards the servant. This relationship is not what anyone would seek to be involved in because it is a painful one.

Thus, in the gospel of today, Jesus says to His disciples after He has washed their feet, He says “I tell you most solemnly, No servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him. ‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly” (John 13:16-20). Jesus was encouraging His disciples to be diligent in their relationship with one another so that they can find happiness afterwards.

In actual fact, the master is expected to teach the servant, while the servant is expected to learn from the master. When such a relationship becomes one that is exploitative, domineering and forceful, then it calls for the thought of friction and rebellion .

Was Jesus encouraging servants/masters relationship? No, He was laying emphasis on humility, submission and service. These three elements are necessary for anyone to achieve a higher purpose in life. A servant who wants to be great like his or her master must work hard for it with these three elements of humility, submission and service.

Dear friends, our Christian faith calls us to serve others in humility and not to seek equality with them. Remember Jesus said, that, anyone who wants to be the greatest among you must be the least and the last shall be the first. Know this and know peace. Peace be with you.