March 2, 2011 Whoever Wishes to be First Among you will be the Slave of all

Jesus, let your words today come into my heart and dwell there throughout the day.  Help them to bear the fruit of charity towards my children, my husband, and everyone I encounter. Amen

Jesus summoned them and said to them,
“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.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mk 10: 42-45

For Today's complete Readings go to USCCB

When I was younger I used to have many ambitions, I was a lot like Olivia, the cartoon pig.  Every new day I wanted to be something new, and, I wanted to be the best at it.  I desired to be famous, powerful, and loved.  I would look for opportunities to prove that I was better than everyone else all the time.

To be painfully honest, it wasn't that long ago...

Being a Mom has put me in my place...my job humbles me every day, I realize how much I need help, and how much every mom must go through the same things that I do.  There are days that all I feel like a slave to the hungry mouths and dirty habits of my family.  However there are many days that I am so thankful to be at home, serving my family, so that they do not go looking for love in other places.  I get to teach them about God's love.  As a Mom, I have also learned, that it is easier to display power, and demand control, than it is to love my children where they are. As a side note...I used to think there was a right way to be a Mom, and that when I was a stay at home Mom, I was going to do it right, have my children the "right" way, teach my children the "right" way, and I would have the most well behaved, well groomed, and most loving family that anyone ever saw.  LOL!!!  Times have changed:)

 Jesus, help me to serve my family today with great Joy, because I am doing your work.  Help me to see opportunities to teach my family to love as you do, not to take advantage of being served, but to feel the power of being loved, and want to share it with each other and others. Amen