Tuesday, March 2, 2010

How Can I Be A Servant?

 

Through Isaiah God speaks again this time to the people of Sodom and Gemorrah, to those whose sinful ways are well known and who fail to be a source of goodness to others.  The directions given in the days of Isaiah weigh in heavily in our own times:  let goodness replace what is not goodness.  Justice toward all should be the goal before you.  Don't allow the helpless go unheard.  In essence our concern for others is couched in this sentence:  "Come now, let us set things right."  A simple sentence but seven words for God expressing his desire for humankind to make certain that goodness and justice reign. 

In the gospel of Matthew, chapter 23, verse 11, Jesus says "The greatest among you MUST be servant."  Notice, please, the intensity of verb:  it is not "can be, should be.  It is a form of the very expressing an obligation.

A teachers' mentor of some years in the classroom shares with new teachers the best ways to make each day in the classroom an experience of genuine happiness both for the teachers and the students.  What is so evident in her guidance is her genuine satisfaction that serving new teachers, and even some longer in the profession, with her personal gifts and skills can ultimately change many lives, many families.  This teacher mentor is the genuine servant, giving her remarkable talent to others.

And you?  Are there ways and gifts for you to share with others?  If you list two or three, you have a treasury you can use to make the gospel words a reality in your family, at your office, your business, your life!  What are these gift?  Grab a pen, write them for yourself and put that little piece of paper that holds a large vault of value in a place where you see it often as a reminder.  We are, all of us, called to be a servant to others.  Each of us, from our hearts, can give birth to words and sentiments that express care and love