In today’s Gospel, we recognize themes of leadership, sacrifice, and service. At CMMB, we find ourselves considering the people we identify as leaders and the qualities they embody—sacrifice, service, and love at the forefront.

“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,” Jesus said to his disciples.”

“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,” he concluded.

We recently had the honor of hearing Al and Kathleen Hartmann, long-time volunteers with CMMB, speak about their work delivering palliative care to the people of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

The Hartmanns are leaders. They embody sacrifice and service. We are grateful to have them as part of our CMMB family. Following their presentation to CMMB friends, they shared a powerful prayer. We will conclude today’s reflection with an excerpt that inspired us.

Give us the strength to weep with the grieving, to walk with the lonely to stand with the depressed.

May our love mirror your love for those who live in fear, who live under stress, and who suffer rejection.