“As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at the table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
(Acts)
Growing up on a farm as one of six kids, there were plenty of chores to keep us busy. But my mom had a weapon that she used whenever one of us complained about doing our share. She got out her beautiful pink silk cushion and invited the whiner to go in the living room and sit on it while the other kids cleaned up the kitchen or whatever. Outnumbered and shamed, the pouter would join the crew, and Mother would put the pillow away. I don’t remember anyone ever sitting on it because the ploy worked every time.
I thought about those scenes when I read today’s passage from the Acts of the Apostles, where they complain that serving dinner interfered with their more important work of praying. And they got away with it!
I doubt that Jesus was thrilled. After all, he had laid into the Apostles when they argued about who should have the higher rank and, of course, he washed their feet at the Last Supper to model service. None of this “last shall be first” stuff for the Apostles in this passage.
The passage reminds us that the early Christians had their flaws and squabbled with each other just like we do. I’m actually a little surprised that they didn’t turn serving dinner over to the community’s women.
I also think about the prayer/service conundrum that this passage highlights. Isn’t humble service a form of prayer? I think of saints like Mother Teresa working in the slums of Calcutta and the pre-papal pictures of Pope Leo donning rubber boots to aid flood victims in Peru. Prayer and service seem inexorably linked, rather than being an either/or choice.
But we don’t have to go to India or Peru to find people who linked the two. We all have our own local role models. One of mine is the late John Schlegel S.J., who not only served as president of Creighton but spent many evenings inconspicuously serving dinner to the homeless at Siena-Francis House. I suspect this work inspired him to create the University’s day of service to the homeless that brought hundreds to the campus for health checks, job assistance and other aid.
It’s also fun for me to think how my mom would have handled the Apostles’ protest that they were too important to help out in the dining room. I can just imagine her getting out her pink cushion and shaming them into serving dinner. And Jesus would have applauded.
Eileen Wirth
I’m a retired Creighton journalism professor, active in St. John’s parish and a CLC member. In retirement, I write books about state and local history, including a history of the parish, and do volunteer PR consulting for groups like Habitat for Humanities, refugees etc. I love to read, work out, spend time with family and friends including those who can no longer get out much.
Writing reflections has deepened my faith by requiring me to engage deeply with Jesus through the Scriptures. In the many years I have been doing this, I’ve also formed friendships with regular readers nationally, most of whom I have never met. Hearing from readers and what I learn by writing make the hours I spend on each reflection well worth the effort.
