Serve

The WORD today reminds me that I should continue to serve God, especially amidst all the challenges that come with it. 

Serviam is Latin for “I will serve.” This was St Michael the Archangel’s response to God. On the other hand, Non Serviam, which means "I will not serve", was Lucifer’s response to God

What is your response?

Jesus, the Son of God, the King of kings, did not come to this world to be served. He did not come as a mighty ruler lording over us. He did not even come into this world in a nice place, not on a hospital or inn. He did not live in mansions or palaces. He could have. He has every right as the Son of God. But he did not. Jesus came as a helpless child, born in a stable, lived in a simple town as a carpenter’s son, proclaimed God’s kingdom, healed people, died for us, and eventually rose from the dead. In the gospel today, after washing the feet of his disciples , which was a task reserved for the lowest of slaves, he told them that no slave is greater than his master. We who call God our master, should follow his ways. 

We should serve others, just as Jesus served us. 

As children, as followers of Christ, we are asked to serve Him as well. Serving God starts with a decision – a decision to serve God, a decision to say Yes to Him. St Michael’s “serviam” is a testimony of that decision to serve God. Mary’s “Fiat” was her “yes” to God. We may not be perfect, we may have concerns, weaknesses and issues, but we are all called to serve God. Only when we give our own yes to God can he use us mightily. Great servants in the bible all had concerns, but their yes to God was all God needed to use them and work through them, only then could they do great things for and through God.

We see this in the first reading, when Paul continued to serve God. He continued to preach and share God to others. It was not easy. He had to travel a lot. It was dangerous because people were against him. But he understood this commandment. He understood that just as Jesus served us despite all his concerns and all the challenges, so should he. Paul also told of another servant of God, John the Baptist, who proclaimed Jesus and served him tirelessly. This should be an inspiration to us.

We are in a perfect situation to live this. More than ever, the pandemic situation we are in right now calls for service. We should serve God through others. We are blessed with more than we need, so we should share what we have with others. There are a lot of people in need. People who lost jobs and livelihood. People who are sick. People who are lonely. People who are spiritually dry. People who are afraid. We should serve God by serving them in whatever way we can. 

Do I live my life in service of God? Do I want to serve God, or do I want God to serve me and give me what I want? Do I serve other people, knowing that God is alive and present in each one of us, or do I expect other people to serve me? Do I wait until things are perfect, until I don’t have major concerns, before I serve God and others? How do I concretize my service to God through others, especially with the corona pandemic? 

May we be reminded of Christ's commandment for us to serve, and resolve to say yes to serving God through our lives. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for seeing me in me what I sometimes, or most of the times, don’t see. Thank you Lord for deeming me worthy of your love, your everlasting and unconditional love. Thank you for loving and serving me even if I don’t deserve it, even if I hurt you every time I sin. Lord, sorry for the times I focus on being served. Sorry for not having the desire and will to serve you in others. Sorry for being hard headed. Lord, I ask that you give me a heart of service. Give me a heart that would desire to love and serve you. Give me a heart that would be willing to go out of my comfort zone to serve you. Lord, I give you my Yes, my serviam, my fiat, and I ask that you guide me and be with me all throughout. Lord, life is not easy, I too have problems and concerns of my own, but I just lift up everything to you. Give me a heart to be a wounded servant, continuously serving and loving you no matter what. Even if I am also afraid or worried or concerned with the covid pandemic, I will serve you through others. Help me be sensitive and willing. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

May 07, 2020

4th Week of Easter - Thursday; Blessed Rose Venerini

FIRST READING

Acts 13:13-25

From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats. After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, “My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” 

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out, and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’“

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. 

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

“I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, That my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.” 

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted. He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.’” 

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA

See Revelation 1:5ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”