Reflections of a beloved son

" You only live once! "or YOLO is a popular saying and "mentality" of approaching life that rose to prominence a little less than 10 years ago.  A comparable phrase is the Latin " Carpe diem! "  or "Seize the Day!"  The basic meaning of these phrases is good and true - we do only have one life here on earth, and we should take advantage of every opportunity that life affords us.  However, I think the world has settled for less than what the deeper meanings of these phrases encourage.  Knowing that we only live once does not mean that we should just do whatever makes us happy, even if it is against the rules and laws, legal and moral.  It does not mean that we should turn to live a selfish life where we place ourselves and our wants, desires, and comforts before anyone else.  Jesus told His disciples, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly" (Jn. 10:10).  Another translation would be, "I came so that the...

" Then he poured water into a basin   and began to wash the disciples' feet   and dry them with the towel around his waist " (Jn. 13:5).   At the Last Supper, Jesus showed His Apostles what real leaders, real men, and real Christians do - they serve .  To lead is to serve and to serve is to love.     At the heart of leadership and service is love - love with humility.  This was the lesson that Jesus wanted His Apostles to learn at the Last Supper.  Just imagine that.  Jesus knew this was the final time He would recline at dinner with these men in this way.  And out of anything He could have focused on, He chose to teach and model a lesson of loving service.  " I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do " (Jn. 13:15).   When I have been asked to lead, do I do so with a mindset of service?  Is love and service at the heart of all that I do?   Jesus chos...