| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
Service Isn’t Easy!
Thursday, August 9, 2012 2:21
% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.
Service isn’t easy!
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:57-62
As they were going along the road, a man said to Him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Part of, if not all, of the ministry to ordination is the call to service. To be steadfast and dedicated means to be whole hearted and full of zeal for the Father’s house. Therefore you cannot be called dedicated and steadfast if you in reality are lazy and self motivated!
The gospel reading yesterday on the feast of St Dominic challenged the dedication to service when it comes to following Christ. Making excuses just does not cut it with Christ; “let me bury my father first!” one man piously intones, “let the dead bury the dead” Jesus replies. Harsh, but who knows if the mans father was dead yet, maybe the man was stalling. I will follow you when all my ties are cut, when I have more free time, when I am not pre occupied with my own family and life. Maybe excuses halt the following of Christ. I will follow tomorrow, I will when I feel like it! Jesus knows the fickle nature of humanity! He impresses upon his disciples the urgency of service, in dedication to the proclamation of the Kingdom.
Jesus did not say as the Cross was about to be put on his shoulders… let me go and have my own space first! I will be back when I am less preoccupied with my own wants, needs, feelings and the like! Jesus went to the Cross and carried the sins of all. Innocence died to save the guilty! Death was defeated by love, life was given eternal nature. In response to this a disciple does not make excuses and say I will have to think about it! Yes we are weak and at times we fall by the wayside but we get up again, we persevere in service to Christ, in thanksgiving for the life he allows us to inherit.
Service in ministry involves the whole person, heart, body, mind and soul engaged in proclaiming the kingdom. No one who looks back is fit for the kingdom, Jesus says! Service is about sacrifice and it is not easy. The reward of service is life! As always the choice is ours we can be dedicated and steadfast or lazy and selfish only we know deep down in our hearts the truth of our own service!
I am heartened by the scriptures but I find I am challenged too! Who said this Christianity lark was an easy option!
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life….” Deuteronomy 30:19-20
2012-08-09 01:01:02
Source: http://humblepiety.blogspot.com/2012/08/service-isnt-easy_9.html
Source:
