“I will serve!” (Saint Josemaria).
Saint John Vianney was a very holy Saint. He was popularly known as the Cure of Ares, and as the local priest of a smallish village in France, he pledged his life to the salvation of the souls of that village. He was known for his austere life, abstaining from meat and eating a little potato and some bread each day and sleeping on a hard plank and offering his life in the service of his parish. He was renowned for spending fourteen or sixteen hours in the confessional each day so that he could devote himself to administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation to all who needed it. And in fact, he was so diligent in this practice that he was sought after and people travelled great distances to see him so that he could administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When he visited the sick and they would apologise for the inconvenience that this visiting caused him, he would respond… “This is nothing, I still haven't given my blood for you all.”
And this was because he was a true disciple of Christ…
“Jesus called his disciples to Him and said to them, ‘You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’” (Mark 10:35-45).
Saint Josemaría used to start his day kissing the floor and saying “Serviam!”, which is Latin for “I will serve!” For he believed that giving to God would ensure lasting peace and happiness.
Pope John Paul I said, “I have never had an opportunity to throw myself into the waters of a rushing stream to save someone whose life was in danger; very often I have been asked to lend something, to write letters, to give simple little directions... I have never had persecutors who beat me, but many people disturb me by speaking loudly in the street, by turning up the volume of their television, or even by making certain noises while slurping soup. To help others as best you can, to avoid losing your temper, to be understanding, to keep calm and smiling on these occasions (as much as possible!) is loving your neighbour, without fancy talk, but in a practical way.”
And I have been thinking about that today as I have been thinking about my life. You see, it is important to have my life operating in a practical way, where I can give to others and not count the cost – in a purely practical way…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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