Most people recognize they have an inner desire to serve others. Millions are serving the poor, the sick, children, the elderly, the homeless, etc. At Christmas time, many people are even more conscious of their need to serve.

However, service has a tendency to get out of hand. It feels good to serve, but it also hurts to serve. For example, Jeremiah was not only unappreciated for his service to God's people; he was even "repaid with evil" (Jer 18:20). After Jesus challenged His apostles to become servants, He called them to become "the slaves of all" (Mt 20:27, our transl), even to giving their lives for others (Mt 20:28). Service gets out of our control and leads to a godly slavery and the cross of Calvary.

Therefore, although we have an inner desire to serve, we also have a strong inner desire not to serve, to draw the line to limit service, to abort service before we have to suffer and die to ourselves.

Will you drink of the cup (Mt 20:22) of crucified service-slavery? Will you let God's love crucify your flesh and selfishness? (see Gal 5:24) With Jesus, come to serve (Mt 20:28). Come to the cross.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 23, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 1998