What does it truly mean to serve the Lord with a humble heart and soul? Today’s Gospel and first reading placed that question heavily on my heart. Do I seek validation for my time spent in service? Are my monetary contributions appropriately sized? If I truly take the time to be honest with myself, is my motivation pure? It can be scary to address those questions head on because human nature craves attention. We want to be seen for what we do, but Jesus clearly warns us to beware of those who give performatively. In my rumination I mulled over the difference between something done in service versus as a transaction. In service we do something selflessly. We receive no earthly benefit by giving of ourselves, though we may receive blessings from our generous Lord. Conversely, if we give out of desire to get something in return this is no longer service but a transaction. We turn a one-way interaction into something that goes two ways. For example, I may give because I want people to know about it and I think that will afford me an increase in social standing. It takes humility to truly serve because we have to give up control, suppress our human desires, and instead listen to where the Lord needs us. Today we are called to give humbly and proportionately-- each person must decide what that means for themselves. I pray that we all have the courage to be honest while we evaluate this question. If we find ourselves lacking, let us not be ashamed but grateful for this clarity and excited for the opportunity it presents us.
Not only are we reminded to be humble when serving the Lord with our time and treasure, but we are called to follow the Lord’s teachings. Seems simple enough, right? We all know we are supposed to listen to what the Lord said to do/not do. But again, what does this mean in practice? Are we able to follow the teachings when it is the unpopular thing to do? Can we miss the social event to attend mass on Sunday? Do we defend our faith when someone ridicules it or do we stay silent? Do we keep healthy boundaries or do we cave to society and pleasure? Now, I’m endangering myself again because I keep asking big questions and how can I find all the answers? Am I capable of measuring up to this standard I am envisioning? Although, for each question we ask ourselves we have a decision to make. Sometimes, the vast number of decisions we are presented with as humans can feel paralyzing, but I think part of that fear comes from the unknown. We don’t know what may come of our choices, and we are nervous that it may hurt us. Modern Christians especially may feel like following Christ isolates them from society, but we have to remember that we are called to walk the narrow way. 2 Timothy urges us to remain confident and focused on our mission, emphasizing that it will be difficult. But there is also hope in the knowledge that we know what will come of choices of this nature. Every time we choose the path of our Lord, we become closer with Him on our journey to everlasting life.
Each day I am able to choose the Lord in a thousand tiny ways. I can decide to give of my time today, I can choose to show up for mass. How will you choose the Lord today?
Mirielle Mason
I am originally from Colorado, and ended up at Creighton for six years while I earned my PharmD in 2024. Immediately following pharmacy school, I got married and moved to the east coast to join my husband, who is in the marines. I am lucky to be working as a pharmacist in my field of choice: Long Term care. In my spare time I read, spend time outdoors, and care for our two cats and horse!
My time on campus was beautiful, yet also burdened by the pandemic. The roles I had in campus ministry were diminished due to the restrictions, and this weighed heavily on my heart. My choir director was so kind as to recommend me to write for Creighton Online Ministries as a replacement for the reflections I was supposed to be doing in my ministry. I am new to this specific ministry, but it has already taught me so much and brought me many blessings.
