Tue Mar 15, 2022

Created and Redeemed for Humble Service. This is the theme that emerges for me from today's readings. God's humble servants know who they are. They know they were created to give glory to their Creator; they develop and exercise their gifts and talents to honour God in loving service to others. A servant is part of a household. Servants who shift the focus from the household to themselves are misguided. They tend to misguide others by their words and example. They often surround themselves with like-minded, like-hearted individuals who support or share their misguided goals and aspirations. They tell themselves that these goals and aspirations are what other members of the household need. Much of what they do is about self-promotion, though on the surface, it may appear as leadership and service; it even may be justified in religious language or in terms of social responsibility. In this way, they gradually and subtly compromise the mission and purpose of the household. They crave honours and public recognition. Their self-worth becomes tied up in these things, and they work hard for them. They can become hostile toward those who do not show them the exalted recognition they believe they deserve.

There's a little bit of the above behaviours in all of us. Today's Lenten readings call us to examine ourselves for these attitudes and practices, and to remove them from our lives. In the Gospel (Mt 23:1-12), Jesus tells His disciples to observe the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees but,

“do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen.”

They are to avoid titles like “Rabbi”, “father” and “master.” Jesus is their Rabbi and Master; God is their Father. In stead, “[t]he greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

St. Paul tells us that as members of the body of Christ, we are "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Eph 2:19) We are called to honour and love one another as such. Some have greater levels of responsibility than others, and we give due honour to their positions and authority. There are many persons in ordinary and lowly positions with great wisdom, and they are prized members of the household as well. Every member of the household – especially the poor and vulnerable – must be honoured, giving "greater honour to the lesser parts." (See 1Cor 12:22-23) In this way, we honour Christ Who redeemed us, and by our Baptism made us members of His household; in this way, our worship honours God. This is the message of our first reading and psalm.

My God, help me to live as a loving member of Your household, redeemed by Christ. Change my heart more and more each day, to seek its deepest satisfaction in humble service. Grant that my work, worship and love for others might give You honour, in accordance with Your holy and gracious will. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Link to readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031522.cfm

Quick message from Youtuber Walking Faith worth viewing in light of today's Gospel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJvONSJBq8k&ab_channel=WalkingFaith