“No” to Lording it Over Others 

HOMILY: Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 10:46-52

17 October 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

I have a friend who hates losing an argument because she believes she is always right. Can you relate with that?  I’m sure, if I ask you, you could identify politicians who cannot accept their loss in an election because they believe they are the more worthy candidates. There are also eldest children (panganays) who think they are more deserving than the other siblings of the best portion of the inheritance by virtue of their birthright.  Fine. Sila na ang magaling; sila na ang matalino; sila na ang deserving. Do you count yourselves among them? What does it benefit us to prove we are better than others? Is that how God sees you and me? 

In the verses pertaining to today’s gospel passage from Mark, Jesus has just informed the disciples that their journey to Jerusalem would end with Him being tried and condemned to death and three days later raised from the dead. He forewarns them that he has to suffer and die so that he may rise again.  This was shocking news but even more surprising was the opportunism of James and John who had the audacity to ask for places of honour beside Jesus when He returns to Heaven. Jesus had just shared a frightening prediction and we can only imagine how this was received by the other disciples. James and John were quick to take advantage of their closeness to Jesus and thought themselves worthy of positions of power over the other disciples. If we were Jesus, we would have likely lashed out at the two brothers for their self-serving request. In fact, we are told that the other ten (10) became indignant because of the brazenness of the two. Were they really angry at the request or were they angry because the brothers had beaten them to asking this of Jesus?  (Parang naunahan sila; naisahan sila.) 

Today’s passage shows how flawed the disciples of Jesus were. However, there is no reprimand from Jesus, He merely tells them it is not for Him to decide. Jesus is so patient and forgiving with His disciples: not just with James and John, but also with the others who have their own share of flaws. Each time they misunderstand what Jesus is telling them, Jesus would take time out to address their lack of understanding. Jesus would set them straight as to what it entails for them to be His disciples and that is to have a heart for service.  They are to serve the needs of others. They are to be servants. And they are to exercise their authority by not lording it over others. A servant-leader does not “lord his/her authority over” but he/she stands under (understands) the other or others. Jesus does not call them on those things; He gives them the chance to act differently. 

We have always thought that these instructions of Jesus on servant-leadership only apply to those of us who hold any civic or church leadership positions. I believe this applies to all of us Christians! We are invited by the gospel to examine ourselves and acknowledge the subtle ways we place ourselves above others, thinking we are better, smarter, more important than these other people are. Indeed, the tendency toward self-promotion is part of our human nature. (Ayaw natin maungusan! Dapat lagi tayo ang star!)  I remember hearing complaints about some security guards of the villages.  Some act with such arrogance and smugness while controlling traffic through gates.  They strut around like generals because they have a pistol on their hip and bear the title of supervisor. Does one’s job title really give one the right to treat others with disrespect? In politics, another hot topic these days, we see and hear mudslinging, character assassination and the spread of false and misleading information, just to get ahead of the other candidates. 

On social media there is also evidence of many lording things over. We have those who are using a lot of inappropriate language and calling others names just to win an argument. Recently, TV Host Bianca Gonzalez expressed worry over insults and rude comments which she said are now being “normalized” in social media. “Nakakabahala na “normal” na sa ilang tao yung nagco-comment ng “bobo” or “tanga” or “gago” at lalo na kapag chineck mo ang profile nila at magulang pala siya ng maliit pang bata o di kaya may Bible verse ang bio. We all want the best possible future, so sana wag ganyan?” She has articulated a very important factor — we must be mindful of how we conduct ourselves because we need to be good examples to the younger generation. We have to hold ourselves to higher standards so they will learn to value humility, decency and tolerance. 

To rise above our tendency to “lord it over” others is not impossible. One time I was watching a session in the parliament where I saw UK’s former Prime Minister Theresa May and her bitter-rival, the Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn engaged in a heated argument on the floor. Then both were seen cordial in a state event which they both attended together soon after the debates. I was impressed because they could be ruthless on the floor but managed to keep the discourse at the level of issues. No resorting to ad hominem arguments or attacking the person’s character or motives rather than addressing the issue at hand.  Today, I read a tweet that quoted one of the presidentiables for 2022. It said, “Mahirap magpigil na pumatol (sa batikos). Madaling makipag-debate, mas radikal ang magmahal. (Ang maunawaan) na hindi sila ang kalaban, kundi sila ang pinaglalaban natin.”  Such depth of understanding and broadmindedness! (Sana all.)

Like the disciples, we have much to learn as followers of Jesus. We thank the Lord for also being patient with us and how He continuously gives us the chance to cultivate attitudes that conform to our Christian ideals.  Jesus loves us despite our insensitivity, our self-centredness… our weaknesses. May we always be grateful for Jesus’ merciful love for us by humbling ourselves and being compassionate to others. May we learn to extend this same patient love and understanding He accorded us in the service of others.