Daily Reflection
From a Creighton Student's Perspective

February 20th, 2008
by
Kelly Orbik

2nd year graduate student (Masters in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution)
BA ’06 Spanish and Justice and Society

Jer 18:18-20
Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16
Mt 20:17-28

But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; Mt 20:17-28

While reading today’s gospel, the contemplation of the two standards comes to mind from the spiritual exercises. As I understand the meditation, we have a choice to step closer to or further away from Christ each day, in each decision. On one side, there is a banner, calling us towards titles, esteem, self interest and worldly success; on the other Jesus calls us toward God and toward one another. The call to be a servant to one another is one aspect of choosing to live as a Christian. We are called to live lives of humble service to one another.

It is hard for me to be conscious of this invitation each day. Life moves so fast, it is not until looking back at my day am I able to see in which direction I have stepped. Through reflection I am able to identify my inner workings- my desires and motivations.

One source of constant inspiration is looking at the service of various Creighton alums and other living examples of holiness in our time. I am amazed with the humility and courage of volunteers who have worked in orphanages, caring for children with various impairments. Changing diapers and cleaning up after children for 2 years in Nicaragua is not what most people come to Creighton aspiring to. Yet these are the examples which come to mind when I read today’s gospel. Jesuit Refugee Services and many other Jesuit ministries gravitate toward the communities of those most in need in our world. The US Jesuit Assistancy, in the “Meditation on Our Response to the Call of Christ” identify a few groups in particular that they feel called to work with: inner city populations, indigenous communities, migrants and refugees.

In my prayer and in my actions I struggle with how to best use my gifts and how to serve the world, but with the measure of success put forth in this gospel, I know that choosing a life of service is an important first step.

This quote from Bono’s speech at a national prayer breakfast is very inspirational to me.

“God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.

If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and the speaking of wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire even in scorched places. Isaiah 58:9-11

It’s not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time. You know, the only time Jesus Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor. "As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." [I] believe that's Matthew 25:40.”

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/bononationalprayerbreakfast.htm


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