The WORD in Other Words by Fr Bel San Luis SVD (Philippines)
Tuesday Week 7 in Ordinary Time
Three friends, who had not seen each other since high school, met in a class reunion. “In our town,” said the first who was a doctor, “people call me ‘Monsignor’ because I part-time as lay minister.”
The second, a lawyer, bragged: “Well, I’m a charismatic elder. I give spiritual talks so everybody calls me ‘Cardinal.’”
Intently listening, the third said: “I’m higher than you two. I’m a sales representative going house to house but I sideline as a collector at Mass. Many call me ‘God.’”
What, God? You must be kidding!” his puzzled friends said. “You see, when I knock at the doors of my customers and they see me,” the sales rep said, “they exclaim, “My God, my God, you again!”
Some people think of greatness in terms of titles, high positions, outstanding achievements, or wealth. But Jesus’ idea of greatness is an opposite of what the world holds today. He said, “Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest and whoever wants to rank first…must serve the needs of all.” Jesus’ idea of greatness is achieved through SERVICE: putting oneself for the good of others and not to show-off.
Understood in this way, achieving greatness in God’s eyes mean parents who raise their children according to Christian values, teachers who inspire students to high ideals, ordinary people who, without fanfare and publicity, reach out to the indigent and underprivileged.
Let’s ask ourselves: Do we really believe that the service we do make us great and pleasing before God’s eyes? Are we serving lovingly and cheerfully? Or only when there is a big “tip”? Be cheerful in rendering service for as St. Paul puts it: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Source – The WORD in Other Words 2018
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