The Cross as the Epitome of Service
Today the Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Cross. Being a feast of the Lord it trumps over the liturgy of the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time to highlight the very symbol of our salvation.
In my experience of youth ministry and training leaders I can quote Jesus when he said, “many are called but few are chosen.” There are many who enter into leadership roles in youth groups and clubs but few turn out and find the real beauty of service in leadership.
The cross of Christ brings us back to the center of what Our Lord wanted service of leadership to be. Aside from the humbling act and allegory of the washing of feet, Jesus’ service to humanity is fully demonstrated on the cross. There he we was literally stripped of his dignity, exposed and humiliated, all out of obedience to his Father and out of his love for humanity.
Many young people come into leadership roles with differing motivations. A few quit because they could not find in Salesian youth leadership what they were looking for. Some come for clout, honor, attention, recognition or respect. Salesian youth ministry, however, has always intended for young people to be servant leaders like Jesus.
The cross is a reminder for youth leaders that what they do is ultimately their act of service and love to Jesus and the Church. Youth leadership is not about elevating one’s self before other young people. It is a path of humility where one divests selfish interests and chooses to be a servant of all, in whatever way, whenever and wherever the Spirit calls. It is a service that will eventually strip the youth leader of his self-centeredness and come to realize that to follow Jesus means to give one’s total self for others, even unto the point of death.
Disclaimer: This section of the website is a personal creative writing of the author and does not necessarily reflect the official views, opinion, or policies of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Philippines South Province. For concerns on the content, style, and grammar of this piece, please contact us.
