Whoever wants to be first of all must be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35)
In the Zen tradition, a koan (ko – ahn) is an unsolvable problem. “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” is perhaps the most well known. Koan means ‘truth happening place.’ As practitioners meditate on koans, a truth or insight begins to emerge.
Throughout his ministry Jesus issued many koans. We are given one in today’s Gospel: “whoever wants to be first of all must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Our egos and our culture propel us to be first; to try and win; to be the best. Jesus’ appeal is to the soul – which is the place of vulnerability and openness. It is where love is born. Jesus’ invitation to servanthood opens us up to an abiding power that the world does not understand or accept – but is a power that can set us and others free.
MARCH 19 / MONDAY
Psalm 31 / Psalm 35
Exodus 4:10-20 (21-26) 27-31
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