Manifesting Greatness Through Servanthood

Over the holidays, I heard a homily with this phrase. It was such a crystal-clear message that my husband and kids commented on it, too, after Mass. I jotted it in the notes app on my phone so I could really sit with those words.

I know, too often, I’ve focused on only the first two words “manifesting greatness”. I think most of us have wanted our lives to be purposeful, meaningful, and impactful to others. How that looks is different for each person.

The pastor reminded us during his 4th Sunday of Advent sermon: we were designed to be servants to one another, to love one another; and in doing this will of God, we perfect His creation.

The world around us celebrates status and professions of grandeur. Those in the brightest spotlights, are called, after all, “celebrities”. There is so much noise blaring what is misperceived as greatness, and it just gets louder.

The Most High, Jesus Christ, came to us humbly – to serve, to be an example of what that service and that love look like, to die for us. He lived exactly what He preached – a servant to all; and there is no higher station, no higher king than He. Today, we find Him in others. And when we see him in the center of our service, a profound joy is there.

In my reflection on “manifesting greatness through servanthood”, I’m reminded of this excerpt from Saint Mother Teresa’s book, One Heart Full of Love:

“One of our novices had come from a far-off country and a well-to-do family. She was sent right away to our home for the destitute who are dying, just like the rest of the novices. Before they left, I told them, ‘During Mass you have seen with what care and tenderness the priest touched the body of Christ changed into the Bread of Life. Do the same in the home for dying destitutes.’

Three hours later, the novices returned. The newly arrived novice came up to me and said full of joy, “Mother, I have been touching the Body of Christ for three hours!” I asked her, “What have you done?” She said that she had rescued a man lying in the gutter, half eaten by worms. “I really felt that I was touching the Body of Christ as Jesus said, ‘I was sick…,’” she continued.

May we all experience profound joy in the center of our servanthood where we find God.