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Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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How many of us have seen the Disney classic, Cinderella?
Like many of you, I grew up on the 1950’s original, but another version was released back in 2015. So, in honor of this sermon, I rented a copy on iTunes, buttered up some popcorn, and pushed “play.”
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I’m sure we know how the story goes: after her father dies unexpectedly, a young Cinderella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, who force her into servitude inside their home.
Cinderella washes their clothes, polishes their boots, and scrubs the floors on her hands and knees.
Being treated so unfairly could make anyone bitter. But Cinderella never lost her inner goodness.
One of the key moments in the story comes when the prince decides to host a royal ball, where he will choose a young lady to marry.
Obsessed with the idea of becoming a princess, Cinderella’s stepsisters begin arguing amongst themselves about who will be chosen. In a word, who’s the “greatest.”
Magically, Cinderella also makes it to the ball, where she captures the prince’s eye, briefly dances with him, then runs off before the clock strikes midnight.
Surprising everyone, it’s she – the lowly servant – who wins the prince’s heart.
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There’s something ironic – even Christian – about that – the idea that the servant wins in the end.
Even in sports, a “Cinderella story” refers to the most unlikely athlete or team winning it all.
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In today’s Gospel, the disciples are caught bickering back and forth about who’s the greatest, much like Cinderella’s evil stepsisters.
Is it Peter, the “rock” of the Church? Judas, the treasurer? Or John the “beloved”? Perhaps someone else?
This trivial competition sends chills down Christ’s spine.
He’s just predicted his own death and resurrection for a second time, but the disciples still don’t get it. They’re ignoring his message of service, focusing on power politics, instead.
Jesus needs to change their attitudes quickly, because time is running out. They’re approaching Jerusalem, where he will lay down his life, leaving them in charge of the Church.
The disciples must understand that Christians are not necessarily the most powerful or the most popular. “The greatest among you,” Jesus says, “must be your servant.”
In a sense, the greatest among you must live like Cinderella.
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In what ways do we serve other people?
Think about this in the most ordinary sense.
For example, at home, when chores need to be done or the kids need to be chauffeured, do we do our fair share?
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Or think about our role as servants here in church. Have we asked the Lord where we might fit in?
There’s a place for everyone.
I think of those who planned our recent golf outing; volunteers of our Welcome and Hospitality Committee; our soup kitchen; our youth group and choir.
On this Catechetical Sunday, we also remember our young people who are starting another year of religious education. Simply going to class, trying to learn something about Jesus is an act of service.
And to our parents, bringing your children to class, to Mass, and even volunteering to teach, glorifies God.
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Remember Cinderella. She was the humble servant – the underdog – the least likely to win. But in the end, the prince gives her things she’d never have on her own – royalty, riches, and his heart.
Similarly, Jesus teaches us that those who serve others in this world – both at home and in church – will be the ones invited to his heavenly banquet, where he will give us things we’d never have otherwise – divinity, peace, and eternal life.
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Image credits: (1) Cinderella, Disney Princess Pictures (2) Ibid. (3) JesusTrek