Rank, power, and humility

Mar. 09, 2015

Rank, power, and humility

By: Wasan Jarbo

اقتباس :

This article includes some reflections on the homily that was given during the 11:30 am Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Noel Gorgis at St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral, San Diego, CA, on the third Sunday of Lent, March 01, 2015. (Please note that Fr. Noel’s reflections are italicized).

All Eastern Rite Chaldean Catholic Churches are celebrating the season (7 weeks) of Lent that comes before the season of Resurrection, and in our beautiful Chaldean liturgy, the Gospel of Mathew, chapter 20:17-28, is read on the third Sunday of Lent.

In this chapter, the Apostle Mathew tells us that Jesus was going up to Jerusalem with His twelve apostles. He took them aside to tell them that in Jerusalem, the Son of man will be condemned to death, and He will be handed over to the gentiles who will mock Him, scourge Him, and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up again.

Then Salome (the sister of Mary, Mother of Jesus), the wife of Zebedee, came to Jesus, because of her close relationship, requesting of Him the promise that those her two sons, James and John, two of the apostles of Jesus, may sit, one at His right hand and the other at His left hand in His kingdom.

Although Salome’s sons were Jesus’ relatives and two of His favorite apostles, Jesus had to explain to them that no one should request to hold a high position, or to be in power, unless he is worthy of that rank. Jesus’ answer to them was: “You do not know what you are asking…” meaning that it is not the rank that matters, it is the spirit that matters; only someone who is working hard and can take that responsibility, someone who is worthy of that rank, who is willing to obey God, endure everything, and serve others with humility. This is why, to sit in paradise is one thing, but to deserve that place or rank is another thing!

In relation to this chapter of the Gospel in our society today: every mom or dad, as proud parents, wishes to see their children reach high positions. Every mother is hopeful to see her daughter reach her goal and is successful, whether it is in marriage or in a career. While every father takes pride when talking about his son who is successful sitting in a high rank position.

The desire to reach a high rank position is not only a dream; it is actually the most known ambition for many successful people. It is also the most talked about and targeted titles that are first expected to be put under the spotlight. With so many examples throughout the history of humanity, holding a high rank position can either be a simple reason for someone to gain high respect and praise during his/her lifetime and beyond, or it can become an unfortunate instrument that can destroy his/her reputation or achievements in one quick minute. This is why, to aim for something high has to have its limits and expectations. It should not be obtained by petitioning nor by pressuring, nor definitely, in moral fact, by bargaining or bribing. Reaching a high rank or position is actually a deserved privilege for someone who:

اقتباس :: a) works hard in order to achieve it, which often comes with many sacrifices;
b) wears the true character from the outside which matches the same personality that is reflected in the inside;
c) wishes to bear the absolute responsibility for all the tasks that relates to it;
d) welcomes, with open heart, all criticism and advice for the benefit of the general well-being;
e) without envy, upholds it for serving the people with humility and integrity above all things;
f) and, from a broader perspective, be a good example for others.

Sometimes, we see these high rank positions being taken just for the purpose of power, fame, or competition, while other times it becomes so destructive when it is taken to satisfy a personal enmity or selfishness. Only then, that high rank position, taken unjustly, becomes catastrophic, especially when making decisions that involves the fate of hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people.

Furthermore, there are still many faithful people who are working with good intentions while looking for many ways to reach high rank positions for the purpose of keeping the world a place for people to live with peace and harmony with each other.

Finally, going back to Fr. Noel’s homily to the faithful on that third Sunday of Lent, he said that he was very proud to see many Chaldeans being successful in business and other careers, and many with high positions. He talked about a bigger ambition than that: he wishes to see one Chaldean brother, or one Chaldean sister, no matter from any Chaldean village, community, or family they come from, holding a high rank position in the White House, meaning to have a Chaldean-born as the president of the United States of America, and why not? He asked with confidence! If this is someone’s ambition or dream, then why can it not be? He further explained that this success will definitely be a great honor to us as Chaldean-Americans in the Diaspora; therefore, we should keep the hope and work hard for it, not only by talking.

This surely can be a sweet dream, but we surely have the capacity and the possibilities to achieve it, and most of all, we have the blessings of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves us, and brought us here to this beautiful country, our new homeland, America, and especially here in this beautiful San Diego, California, where we are hoping to build a new spiritual Babylon with humility and obedience to the only one God, our Father in heaven, not like our ancient ancestors who tried to reach the heavens but couldn’t because they did it with power, lust and selfishness. Even though it came after many generations, those who have received the good news and believed in one God and one Holy Apostolic Church, could still not reserve our identity and heritage and rights, where persecution is widely open until this day in our native homeland: Beth Nahrayn, today’s Iraq.

Therefore, it is here where we are one body and one people, with God’s help and trust, working together to build a new spiritual Babylon. As Chaldeans, we are descendants of an authentic people, born to one of the ancient and richest civilizations in the world, we definitely strive to keep our identity, language, liturgy, and faith alive, in addition to our traditions and culture for our Chaldean children and grandchildren, those who are born here in America, or those who are being displaced everywhere after being persecuted and forced out from their homes and villages awaiting to reach the Diaspora to unite with their churches and community as soon as possible.

He, who will work to achieve that high rank position for presidency, has to follow God’s way in order to reach this position; he should not hold any anger or envy against his brother. He has to be humble himself, as Jesus taught us in the Gospel above: “Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

A true leader has to serve his/her people with humility and equality; he/she should not use that high rank position for personal interests, power or satisfaction, because earthly standards are totally opposite than what God commanded us to follow for the sake of our salvation. The power to gain something should not come from us; it only comes from God Himself, through our call to His ministry.