This Sunday, October 17th, we will be reflecting on the Gospel of Mark, and the words of Jesus who said:
“Whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all. For the son of man came not to be served but to serve.”
If ever there was a time for service it is now. The world is in crisis with climate change which is barreling out of control.
We are still in the throes of a pandemic which refuses to be brought under control.
Our own country has just come through an election which saw little change, other than paying lip service to promises which have yet to be honored.
As an aging congregation there seems to be little we can physically do to serve and bring about a better place in our own worlds.
All of this seems so overwhelming, but, believe it or not, there is joy in joining Jesus in giving our life without expecting anything in return.
Young moms do it every day - they serve those who can’t (and sometimes won’t) serve themselves. They wipe bottoms, runny noses, food encrusted faces – all out of love and devotion. And, sometimes, without a partner to carry the load.
Young dads take jobs that are not rewarding and, sometimes, with no future, so that their families will have a roof over their heads and food on the table, access to education and extra-curricular activities to build strong bodies as well as strong minds. They work overtime and sometimes two jobs. And, there are those dads who find themselves supporting two families.
Grandparents, having finally retired, are often required to once again take on the responsibilities of child rearing when the lives of their married children fall apart. They give not only of their hands and their time, but of the finances which they hoped would see them through to a time of relaxation, free from anxiety and fear.
And this generation finds itself having to take physical and financial responsibility for their own aging parents who are facing illness, uncertain futures and dwindling resources.
Not service on a global scale, but service in light of Jesus’ own words.
As I reflect on the role of servant, I am reminded of The Servant Song. It goes:
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant too
We are pilgrims on a journey
Fellow travelers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the nighttime of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear
I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through
When we sing to God in heaven
We will find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant too
Perhaps the words of this song are the only reward we may ever experience. But I hold hope that what we do in secret, without complaint or expectation, Creator God knows, and that will be its own reward.
In peace
Pastor Beryl, DLM