The Blessings of Humility and Service

Prayer-Soldier

The Blessings of Humility and Service

Scripture:

I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the Gentiles. And now, O you priests, this commandment is to you. If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, said the Lord of hosts: I will send poverty upon you, and will curse your blessings, yea I will curse them, because you have not laid it to heart.

But you have departed out of the way, and have caused many to stumble at the law: you have made void the covenant of Levi, said the Lord of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible, and base before all people, as you have not kept my ways, and have accepted persons in the law. Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then does every one of us despise his brother, violating the covenant of our fathers?
(Malachi 1:14b-2:2, 8-10)

We became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children: So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.

Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who works in you that have believed.
(1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13)

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sat on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do you not; for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on the shoulders of men; but with a finger of their own they will not move them. And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes.

And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues, and salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi. But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren. And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven. Neither be you called masters; for one is your master, Christ.

He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
(Matthew 23:1-12)

Reflection:

How often do we approach one another with indifference or disrespect? How often do we judge another such that we treat them as beneath us? How often do we call another names as a means to demonize? How often do we seek to place ourselves as somehow superior than those who act different from us?

There are many reasons we may offer for our disdain of another, but are they just or mere excuses for us to define ourselves as somehow superior? Even if we have cause for wariness of the intent of a possible antagonist or adversary, we are still called to approach one another with civility and dignity. ( Matthew 5:43-48 ) Name calling and character attacks do not encourage conversation, neither does disrespect or indifference. We must consider this as we consider our calling to encourage one another in the ways of the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14-21)

Before we judge the ways of others, we should first look to our responsibilities. Do we expect others to do for us while we do nothing for others? Do we expect to be served rather than to serve? If we look at the ways of evil, at their center are the ways of disordered pride, envy, and selfishness.

We do nothing to help another through words and actions of disdain. Though their behavior may be in opposition to the commandments of the Lord, we are called to encourage, rather than judge. (Matthew 7:1-7, 2 Corinthians 13:1-13) We should take responsibility for our needs as much as we are able, but if we are to fulfill the will of God, let us also reach out to provide assistance to the needs of others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. As we live by the ways of civility, compassion, and charity, then, we sow love in the hearts which surround us. The work is not always easy, but the rewards of love are eternal. Let us, then, turn to the ways of God, not only so we may rejoice, but that we may give cause for joy to all who cross our path.

We are tempted to envy positions of elevated esteem. Competition spurs our efforts and so we are spurred to climb the ladder so we may seek reward. It is not wrong to hold a position of esteem, but we must be wary of the purpose for which we seek it. If we seek such positions for the purpose of serving others, if we seek the position from which to encourage what is right and just, we are just in our endeavors; but if we seek such positions for selfish desires, so that we may be served without serving, so that we might enjoy accolades, we open ourselves to dark temptations.

Jesus warned us against such desires. He used hyperbole to draw our attention that there is always One greater than we and that we must turn from the temptations of disordered pride. Jesus did not instruct His disciples to call no one ?Rabbi? or ?father? such that we might not have words to describe our instructors or patriarchs, rather, to instruct His disciples of the dangers of arrogant pride to which we are tempted by titles.

We must look first, to the true source of our talents and our strengths, which is the One who created us. We may endeavor, relying on our abilities, but alone, we are weak in the face of the world. It is only through the grace of God and our obedience to His commandments by which we may do wonderful things in the eyes of heaven. Let us, then, allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our endeavors. Let us not seek positions of esteem for reasons of pride and envy, rather, for reasons of service. If we seek accolades, we shall often be disappointed when praises fade, but if we seek to serve for the blessings of others, we shall join the endeavors of the holy ones over which heaven remembers and rejoices. Let us, then, take off the barren mantel of selfish pride and instead put on the fertile mantel of humility and service.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways might we improve our obedience to the commandments of the Lord?

What opportunities do we have to be of service to others or enable others as servant leaders?

In what ways may we increase in civility, humility, charity, and service?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier