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It is likely few of us have experienced being a servant –
that is in strict sense of word – no rights, no say, no union, no where to go
if you try to leave. More likely our experience is more about being served; we
are all the masters expecting to be served. This is my life, my stuff, I paid
my dues (my condo fees) – I expect to be served and if not just watch me
complain. This way of thinking may well colour our view of religion. “I have
church membership, I profess my belief, follow the rules, so now God must meet
my needs, answer my prayers, serve me when I prayer.” In today’s gospel Jesus talks about this view of
servants.
“Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or
shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? Instead,
won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat
and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant
because he did what he was told?” Lk. 17
So let us get this straight, we are the servants; God is
the master who is to be served.
When we were born and let out our first cry it might be
translated as, “Where is MY . . . ! ! !”
The spiritual life is an ongoing process of becoming a true
servant, a schooling in holiness. St. Francis gives us an excellent outline
of the homework we take with us each
day.
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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
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O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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