The Word God Spells

Matthew 8:18-22
Gn 18:16-33 / Ps 103:1-4,8-11

Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead.
(Matthew 8:22)

Not all of us are called to serve;
Others stay to “bury their dead”.
Some follow but merely observe.
We live who follow Christ our Head.

When Jesus saw a crowd growing in numbers around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side. But before they could embark, a scribe approached and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead.” (Mt.8:18-22)

Reflection

As servants of the Lord in His mission, we all face various hardships. But there is no easy way around it. When we have commmitted to serve, we will have trials and difficulties to face and endure. Sometimes we may even have to sacrifice our time with our loved ones. But we take hope in our Lord’s greatest missionary, St. Paul, who said, “God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8) Whatever the pains of service, the greater the gains in return.

A brother in our community once said, “One verse in scripture that has guided and sustained me over the years in my spiritual quest has been this verse: ‘Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Mt. 6:33) By seeking God’s kingdom, he understood it to mean serving God by bringing His message of salvation to others. He was right.

When serving Him in our ministry starts to become tedious, we have only to recall His words: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as ransom for many.” (Mt.20:26-28) As servants of God, we do not seek our own glory, nor pursue a personal agenda. Our only concern is how to give honor to the Lord. True servants of the Lord do not seek the credit, but God’s honor and glory shine through their lives.

How do we attain a servant’s heart? By making the world see Jesus in us. The world will see that there is something different about us. Despite the difficulties of the task, they will see joy. In place of the burdens of the service, they will experience our lightness of spirit, and our willingness to share with them our time and a patient ear.

Serving Your community is truly a joy for us, Lord, because it is really You Whom we serve. Grant us a steadfast heart, so that we may lead others to follow you. Amen.