A True Servant (11/24/2024)

Last evening, I attended Mass. We were blessed by a beautiful celebration, a homily that gave us much to consider as the celebrant broke open the readings for us so that could better incorporate the message into our lives, and a real sense of community as we truly grew into that which we received, the Body of Christ. After Mass, I watched with great delight as the members of the congregation visited. I was one of the last to leave, so I got to observe a great deal. One of the last to come out of church was one of the servers. And we had a conversation.

I approached him, told him what an excellent server he is and how especially attentive he is when he is serving, always watching the priest, always on cue, always there with what is needed in the moment. I ended by saying, “You are an excellent servant, and I just wanted you to know.” And we shook hands before he walked with his dad to the family car.

As I reflected on my day, my conversation with the young man resurfaced. I considered what I had said to him and realized that the same is expected of us all, not just those dressed in cassock and surplice. As the baptized, we are called to be servants. Jesus reminded us of that multiple times. I especially remember His washing the feet of the disciples the night before He died, and telling the disciples He had given them a model to follow. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus tells us that He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. And He calls each of us to such servants if we wish to follow Him. We must pick up our crosses, we must follow in His footsteps, and those are the footsteps of a true servant.

Last night, as I reflected, I considered the ways I have been called to serve over my lifetime. And I wondered what the future needs would be. And I prayed that I would have the vision to recognize the need and the desire to serve that opened me to put on the apron of humility and serve my LORD as called.

Many of us will never be asked to serve as an altar server. But all of us are called to serve. It may be through liturgical ministries like lectoring, ushering, greeting, serving as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, being members of the parish music ministry.

Perhaps our calling is to be part of the community food bank or St. Vincent de Paul ministries. We may find that our calling is to use our skills as cooks and bring food to parish functions but also to those who need a meal because of health or other life situations. Perhaps our service to others is the gift of companionship to the lonely. We are called to be true servants and this is a daily call. Daily we are called to use our gifts in service to our LORD and our sisters and brothers.

As I sat with the LORD last evening and reflected on the young man’s service at the altar, I thought of his simple joy in doing his service. I also prayed for joy in my service. Who wants anything from another who acts as if it is a bother. “LORD, make me a true and joyful servant.”

As we go forward this day and all days, let us do so as true and joyful servants, attentive to our LORD and to the needs of the moment and those around us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.