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There is a story told of three men who were pouring a mixture of water, sand, lime into a trough. A curious passer-by asked what they were doing. The first said, "I am making mortar." The second: "I am laying bricks." But the third replied, "I am building a cathedral." They were all doing the same thing, but each looked at it differently. And what a difference each person’s perspective made!
The difference in perspective can be seen in more than just work. It also affects how we view suffering, relationships, and our spiritual lives. Another example is seen when people people talk about how they support their parish. One person says, "All they do is ask for money." The second person replies, "Well, you have to pay the bills." But the third person says, "I am building the Body of Christ." The three are doing the same thing, but their attitude determines what is focussed on!
Today's Scripture readings reflect those differences in response to the trials and tribulations of life. Poor Job says that life is nothing but drudgery: When I lie down at night, I toss and turn and wonder when morning will come. But when I get up, I am tired and I ask how long until I can get back to bed!
Most of us can identify with Job during our darkest days. But St. Paul takes a different approach. Few worked as hard as he did or went through so many sufferings for the name of Jesus. Yet he says: "I do so willingly...I have been entrusted with a stewardship.”
Our Gospel presents a fascinating example of stewardship in the person of St. Peter's mother-in-law. She was in bed, sick, when her son-in-law brought unexpected guests. One of them, Jesus, went to her bedside, took her hand - and she sat up. The fever subsided and immediately, "she waited on them.”
Some think she would have preferred to stay in bed. However, that viewpoint says more about us that it does about that wonderful woman. For people in ancient times, hospitality was their top value and most precious gift. It was the glue that held their society together and the primary way of displaying one’s honor and virtue. For Peter's mother-in-law, hospitality was a sacred duty. But there is something more. The text says, "She waited on them." The word for "wait on them" is "diaconia" - the root of our word "deacon." Jesus had healed her. To serve him in return would be pure joy, a beautiful honor, not a burden or disgrace.
When I think of the happiest moments of my life, they are not the times when I was sitting around with tons of time on my hands. The most joy-filled times are the days when I fall into bed exhausted, when my calendar is full of doing priestly things, and serving others, bringing the presence of Jesus to those who are hungry, lonely, discouraged, confused, and seeking holiness. Being God’s servant to others brings the most meaning and happiness to my heart. That same deep satisfaction and contentment cannot be found in boundless free time, self-indulgence, increasing personal comfort, or amassing riches. You and I will always be happiest when we are living lives of intentional and joyful service rather than trying to get others to serve us.
St. Paul illustrates this joy. With no fanfare, he says he is free… and few have greater inner freedom than Paul. Nevertheless, Paul says, I have become a slave to all. He knew that freedom is not doing whatever one feels like. Real freedom is the ability to serve; letting go and putting others first.
One of the greatest sources of scandal comes from people misusing their vocation of service to enrich or take care of themselves. How many children suffer because their parents choose to live selfish and self-indulgent lives? How deeply has our Church been wounded and dismissed because some priests and bishops put their own comfort and advancement in front of living their lives in complete service to their spiritual flock? How many people have lost confidence in political representatives because many have forsaken their role to be public servants, choosing instead to use their power and authority to benefit themselves.
The key to ensure that these and so many other professions provide inspiration, healing, happiness, and holiness is personal sacrifice. Most of us spend a lot of time and energy trying to avoid the "S" word because it is certainly not easy. However, as Christians, we cannot avoid sacrifice if we hope to be happy and live meaningful lives that will bless others. We cannot simply tolerate hardship and sacrifice; we have to embrace it. Jesus and St. Paul tell us that our time, our abilities, our financial resources, all of it, do not belong to us. They come from God – and he will require an accounting – a stewardship. For that reason, we do not give ourselves and what we have grudgingly because we are building the Body of Christ, we are building that cathedral!
To continue as effective and joyful apostles of Jesus we need both the vision which comes from prayer and the humble patience to accept routine work.
In Jesus we see the right balance. After he had spent his day helping those who were troubled, he rose before dawn and went off to a deserted place to pray. The sick, the hurting, and all those who need us will still be there tomorrow. We will never get all of our work done if we are living lives of service! But the opportunity to connect and be strengthened by God in prayer must not be put off or cancelled, even to do more good things. The source of true love and service comes from above and without it, we become like a spinning top. We might look impressive for a while, but we eventually fall down.
We recognize that each of us is called to do our part in helping others, building God’s kingdom, and growing in holiness. But it is impossible to create a world which is truly just, good and beautiful on our own. We need the love, patience, and wisdom which can only be learned through regular moments of quiet prayer. If that was something Jesus needed, why do we think we can live without it?
Once Jesus prayed, he returned to the task of teaching, serving, healing, feeding, and loving. That is what we are called to do as well, each in the ways that are proper to our vocations. May we be joyful servants of God, always guided and strengthened by prayer!
