Did you ever have a CAT scan? If you have, you know that it reveals important information which enables your doctor to determine the best plan of action for medical treatment – or in some cases, none required.
Did you ever look at the results of a CAT scan? We can’t tell whether it’s good or bad. Only a trained medical doctor can tell us what it means and how to proceed. What would happen if we were able to get a CAT scan of our faith? What would it show? Would it indicate that our faith is alive and active, serving our brothers and sisters in need around us?…or…Would it show a lukewarm faith?
So, why is a faith lived out in service so important? Jesus provides this answer in today’s gospel and in other gospel passages:
Mk`10:45: For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for the many.
Jn13:14: But if I washed your feet – I who am Teacher and Lord – then you must wash each other’s feet.
Mt25:35,36: For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me. Jesus then invites those who served to entrance into eternal life, sharing their Master’s joy!
Jesus invites us to today’s gospel to reflect on the relationship of service and suffering. Where you find one, you will find the other. We know that in helping someone, there will be sacrifice required on our part – a sacrifice of our time or giving our talent freely for example. We focus on the needs of others, rather than our own problems and struggles.
Jesus invites us in today’s gospel to ask: What can I do to imitate Jesus’s life of service to others? The answer will be different for each one of us. Let us ponder the response of the Blessed Mother Mary to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation: I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.
May God bless us all always! Deacon Mike