In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes a new and radical Pax Christi, which asks us to be the least — to live as servants. He uses the image of slavery to get His point across. This is a powerful illusion to his death: he did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for many.

“I am sure that the disciples struggled with the rabbi’s lesson,” says Father Jerry, “we are still struggling with the role each of us is called to embrace. Pax Christi is a paradox to be lived. Peace comes from being last, giving up everything, putting another’s needs first, and loving others as ourselves.”

The message never gets easy and is as radical today as it was on the road to Jerusalem.