To listen to this homily, click here.
Our readings this weekend demonstrate the power of perspective and how our view of the world determines how we process the challenges of life. A story that drives this home involves an elderly man who said to his wife, “You know, Sarah, you’ve always been with me – through the good and the bad. Like the time I lost my job – you were at my side. And when the war came, and I enlisted – you became a nurse so that you could be near me. Then I was wounded, and you were there, Sarah, right by my side. Then the Depression hit, and we had nothing – but you were there. And now here I am, old and sick, and, as always, you’re right beside me. You know something, Sarah — you always bring me bad luck!” Of course poor Sarah had nothing to do with his misfortunes but his perspective led him to that conclusion, to view his greatest blessing with suspicion and blame.
Today's Scripture readings offer us several different perspectives in response to hardship and blessing. 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 as many sufferings during his two decades of preaching. Yet he says: "I do so willingly...I have been entrusted with a stewardship.”
Our Gospel presents a fascinating perspective of stewardship and service 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 most precious gift. It was the glue that held 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 humiliation.
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 nor were they moments when I was the center of attention. The most joy-filled times are the days when I fall into bed exhausted, when my calendar is full of doing priestly things, serving others, bringing the presence of Jesus to those who are hungry, lonely, discouraged, confused, and seeking holiness. Being God’s servant to you brings the most meaning and happiness to my heart. That same deep satisfaction and contentment will not be found in boundless free time, self-indulgence, increasing personal comfort, or a bigger bank account. You and I will always be happiest when we are living lives of intentional and joyful service.
St. Paul illustrates this fact. With no fanfare, he says he is free… and few have had greater inner freedom than Paul. Nevertheless, he says, I have become a slave to all. Paul knew that freedom is not doing whatever one feels like. Real freedom is the ability to serve; letting go of personal preferences 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 discredited because some priests and bishops put their own comfort and advancement in front of complete service to their flock? How many people have lost confidence in politicians because many have forsaken their role to be public servants, choosing instead to use their power and authority to benefit themselves.
The key to ensuring our lives 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 not easy. However, as Christians, we cannot avoid sacrifice if we hope to be happy and live meaningful lives. We cannot simply tolerate hardship and sacrifice; we have to embrace them. The great irony is that the more we embrace it, the less painful and frightening it is. Jesus and St. Paul offer us the perspective that our time, our abilities, our 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 there is actually more joy and fulfillment in giving than in receiving.
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 quiet place to pray. The sick, the hurting, and all those who need us will still be there tomorrow. We will never get everything 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 strength to love and serve comes from the Lord and without a regular time of prayer, we become like a spinning top. We might look impressive for a while, but we eventually fall down. If quiet prayer was something Jesus needed, why do we think we can live without it?
Once Jesus prayed, then he returned to the task of teaching, serving, healing, feeding, and loving. His perspective of service and prayer is what we are called to adopt 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!
