Watching a basketball game, the most exciting and intriguing reality is not what happens above the rim but what happens below the rim way below. If you notice the players as they rise from the bench they usually remove their outer shirt and throw it on the floor. There at their feet are the ball boys scampering to get at the clothes and then they do something odd, they fold them nice and neat.
When the players come off the court all sweaty, there are the same ball boys who hand them the towels only to have the sweaty remains tossed in their face. Then they proceed to fold the towel.
By their willingness to serve, the ball boys get to rub elbows with the higher ups. In their humble service they are exalted.
Jesus reminds us in today's reading that He came to serve and that true greatness is shown in being a servant of others.
Watching Jesus we get a glimpse into the Lordship of God, the one who rules by service. In Jesus God from on high comes down, below the rim, and shows us his rule, a law written in sweat and blood, a passionate service for the many. God is a hands on ruler.
Service becomes the way to ascent.
Lent is about coming down to service and only then do we truly rub elbows with the one on high, for only then do we imitate his actions and truly enter into the strength of our dignity, image and likeness of God.
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