For the third time Jesus reveals his imminent passion and death to his apostles as they make their way to Jerusalem. The apostles’ reaction remains the same. They still do not understand what Jesus is telling them or perhaps they simply do not want to. All they have in their head is the glory that awaits them when Jesus, the Messiah, will finally establish his kingdom in Jerusalem.
James and John are quick to upstage the other apostles in securing their position by sneaking and asking Jesus to allow them to sit one on his right and the other on his left in the kingdom. The other ten are of course furious at being cheated (na-isahan) by the two scheming brothers.
Once again Jesus patiently takes the occasion to teach the apostles how the kingdom of God is diametrically opposed to the kingdom of the world. “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”
Then he presents himself as model to those who belong to such kingdom. “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The way to the kingdom of God is the way to Calvary; it is the way of suffering and death so that others may live. The first reading from Isaiah foretells Christ as the suffering servant who will justify many through his suffering and death
The story of the ambitious brothers reminds us of our own situation, especially now that elections are fast approaching. Even before the official start of the campaign period, our streets are already awash with epal posters and tarpaulins.
Political dynasty which is banned by the Constitutions remains a plague and scourge of Philippine politics. In our province alone, the offices of mayor and vice mayor are predominantly occupied by family tandems of husband and wife, mother and son, sister and brother, etc., (not to mention that the other children also sit as city or municipal councilors). All over the country political leadership is monopolized by families for decades. As an FB post rightly puts it: today public service has turned into a family business.
This certainly is a sad and shameful thing. Is our country utterly bankrupt of intelligent and competent leaders that our people are left with no other choices and alternatives?
While there are certainly many who are worthy leaders in government, there are many more possible leaders who are honest and competent than most of the incumbents. The sad thing is that these potential leaders shy away from politics because “politics is dirty.”
It is for this reason that the Church asks the faithful to engage actively in politics. The Popes constantly remind us that “politics is one of the highest forms of charity” because it deals with the common good. To love is to seek the good of the beloved. The common good is the highest good of the people. That is why we need good men and women to enter politics. We just cannot leave the common good in the hands of unscrupulous and self-serving politicians.
Alberto Marvelli was an Italian who grew up in a Salesian oratory and joined the Catholic Action. He was an active youth leader and engaged in many charitable works. After his university studies, he realized that he could do so much more in helping the poor (World War II had just ended), if he joined the Christian Democratic Party. He ran for office and became one of the most popular and well-respected candidates. Everyone knew him for his honesty and sincere dedication to the well-being of the community. Unfortunately, he died in an accident just on the eve of the election. On election day the people went out to vote for him all the same, and he won by landslide. His mother who was known in the community as “the Good Samaritan” was asked to take his office.
Alberto Marvelli was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 5 September 2004.