Service

    

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 October 2024

 

First Reading: Is 53:10-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16

Gospel: Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve."

Jesus is truly our role model of service and He exemplified selflessness by consistently placing the needs of others before His own. Imagine He is the Son of God but He came to the world to be like us, who understands our humanity. And we see Him serving the poor, going around healing the sick, driving out demons, giving life to the dead, teaching the disciples.

If we want to be great, we really have to serve first. I started serving the Lord in my college days. I was part of the Legion of Mary in our parish and we would go around doing the block rosary from house to house, I would also go to depressed areas as part of our outreach programs. I also became a member of the Ministry of Lectors and Commentators and other ministries in the church. And when I got married, my husband and I continued serving our parish and there was even a time we would serve the 5AM, 6AM, 7AM, and 8AM Sunday Masses! We also became members of the Magis Deo Marriage Encounter Community serving as Shepherds to ME Classes, helping couples as they journey in their spiritual life. And when we had children, we would also bring them to church and eventually my son became an altar boy/sacristan. Thinking about it right now, I couldn't imagine how we were able to do it with our full-time job and raising four children! But truly when you just say YES to the calling of the Lord, He will equip you so you can do your mission.

My other children also started serving at The Feast of the Light of Jesus Community in the Youth and Worship Ministry and led worship singing to the Lord. Today, my youngest daughter and her husband are full time Youth Missionaries. They gave up their careers in the corporate to serve the Lord. My two children who are already married and have migrated to Sydney, Australia continue to serve at The Feast in Sydney.

It's a joy to serve the Lord as an answer to His calling. He loved us so much unconditionally and we want to share that love to others by serving them. And I truly believe that graces and blessings abound when we serve.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for the opportunities to serve You.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15