in the service
"The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve — to give His life in ransom for the many." —Mark 10:45
Servant Jesus, as He is called (Acts 4:27), did not just serve. He came with the expressed purpose of serving (Mk 10:45). At the Last Supper, Jesus got up from the table and washed the apostles' feet (Jn 13:5). His service cost Him His life. He tells us to follow His example and serve as He did (Jn 13:15).
Usually we begin our life unwilling to serve. Through God's grace, we may become willing servants. The Lord calls us to go even further and seek out opportunities to serve — not just serving but coming to serve. Also, Jesus calls us to serve those who rarely get served — the poor, oppressed, powerless, prisoners, nobodies, the untouchables. Then we serve as Jesus served.
To do this, we must be purified of selfishness and sin. "By obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a genuine love of your brothers; therefore, love one another constantly from the heart" (1 Pt 1:22).
Jesus comes to serve, calls us to serve, and purifies us to serve. To serve Jesus and others in the name of Jesus is the greatest opportunity we can have. To be a millionaire, president, or superstar is insignificant compared to being a servant of Jesus. This position is the pinnacle of human existence.
Prayer: Jesus, I am honored to serve You. "Thank You for counting us worthy to stand in Your presence and serve You."
Promise: "Realize that you were delivered from the futile way of life your fathers handed on to you, not by any diminishable sum of silver or gold, but by Christ's blood beyond all price." —l Pt 1:18-19
Praise: Sister Teresa gave a copy of One Bread, One Body to a hospitalized man. He read the praise at the bottom of one of the pages. Jesus touched his heart, and he responded by joining the Catholic Church.
Reference: (For more teaching, order our leaflet, Job Performance for Jesus.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 31, 2011
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