WEDNESDAY, August 24

Luke 22:24-30. But I am among you as one who serves.

Jesus taught the apostles that he was their servant, not only by his words but also by his actions. His last meal with them, when he washed their feet, was the highest demonstration of this and the model of leadership he left with his followers. Peter objected. Jesus’ words and actions were shocking. He was their teacher and leader. How could he be servant as well?

In cultures where elders are respected, obeyed and served, the gospel must be profoundly disturbing if it is taken seriously. Korea is one such country. Respect is shown in many ways—for example, by not standing on a teacher’s shadow. Most of all it is tied up in the language with special ways of speaking to “juniors” and to “seniors.” Most Korean translations of the gospels have Jesus speaking to the disciples in a way which says “you’re lower than me”—a form they couldn’t use to address him in reply.

How hard it is to accept God’s humility. God took on human flesh, an act of humility. And being humbled even further, God claimed the role of a servant. The servant Jesus calls us too to serve, with the apostles, in the same way.

PRAY for the Diocese of Saldanha Bay (Southern Africa)

Ps 91 or 91:1-4; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 4:9-15

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We serve

Aug 24, 2011 at 8:13 am

Written by Mary kier,

We have church services, acolytes who serve. I guess this is us serving God. But in return we are nourished by the service spiritually. So maybe God is serving us too?Out of the church we serve the armed forces we serve peace corps, we volunteer. Service is all around us. When you love some one, a child for instance, you make sacrifices you turn your focus and priorities around to care for them to gi've them the best start in life..(Quite literally willing servants!) we truly are Gods's children He serves us as we are his servants.

The foot-washing Christ

Aug 24, 2011 at 11:12 am

Written by Morris Post,

The deacon is the ordained minister that most represents the servant role of Christ. We need more servants in Christendom - people willing to get down in the trenches and serve the children of God. We have too many priests in the church (Christ at the table) and not enough deacons (the foot-washing Christ).

One can serve at table and wash feet!

Aug 24, 2011 at 1:14 pm

Written by Cynthia,

In response, to Mr. Post's comment, it is not an either/or. I am a priest, but I strive to be a servant, too. Isn't a priest supposed to represent Christ in all ways possible, not just at table? If so, then we priests ought to imitate our Lord's servant leadership in all that we do. And in fact, one may do just about anything positive, including administer the sacraments, in the spirit of the servant leadership of Jesus.

serving

Aug 24, 2011 at 6:30 pm

Written by sister liz,

A friend recently stated that there is a need for volunteer chaplains/ministers in the hospitals. What she actually said was,"I was told, think long and hard before calling the chaplain (paid hospital staff) because we can't afford to call them in for everything." Wow. My mother also discovered that there was NOT ON STAFF a chaplain at her religious affiliated assisted care facility. The fields are ripe but the laborers are few.

Servants

Aug 24, 2011 at 6:52 pm

Written by Bonnie Strickland,

Unfortunately, it seems as if the Body of Christ has many that expect to be served and few that are willing to serve.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8

Serving

Aug 24, 2011 at 8:34 pm

Written by Rick,

Thanks, for quoting the verse from Philippians, one of my favorites. If you have any talents at all, consider bringing them to a nursing home. These are truly those who are in need of service, companionship, anything to let them know that they are not forgotten.

...

Aug 25, 2011 at 6:43 am

Written by Christopher John SSF,

Thanks for your further reflections on service ... there's more to unpack in time; for example the difficulty there can be in letting others serve us. It strikes me how Christian service can be so simple and that sometimes we just need to know that we are already serving others - maybe just through giving a drink of water, or a smile.

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