Not to be Served, but to Serve - Fr. Micah - March 29, 2026

In today’s Gospel reading, John and James go to our Lord and ask him to, when he is seated on his throne, place each of them at his right and left. He tells them that he cannot do this, that those places are preserved for others. The other ten apostles are indignant at James and John that they would ask this of Christ. Then, Christ tells the twelve, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”In his sermon, Fr. Micah focuses on Christ’s example of service and sacrificial love. Though we delivered the Lord to the scribes and Pharisees, he delivered us from the dominions and principalities that enslaved all creation. Though we condemned him to death, he condemned us to immortality. Though we mocked and spit upon him, he has honored us with an everlasting honor. Though we scourged and killed him, he has given us life everlasting.Fr. Micah encourages us to remember that just as Christ came to serve, so we too are called to serve. If we wish to ascend, we must descend; if we wish to be great, we must first become small.