Humble service

Someone said that a boy’s voice changes when he becomes a man. Someone also said that a girl’s voice also changes … when she becomes a wife.

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In today’s Gospel (Mk. 10, 35-45), Jesus teaches us to remain humble, and not to become like rulers and tyrants. “The son of Man came to serve and not to be served.” Our voice must not change especially when we become blessed, titled, or positioned!

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So sad, so disgusting, in fact, to hear so-called public servants belittle, manipulate, and outrightly lord over their constituents when they talk to them. So much of our people’s money is siphoned and stolen by the people who promised to serve and protect them. “Kawawa ang taong bayan!” (Pity the citizens of our country!)

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St. Teresa of Calcutta was a woman who didn’t talk of service; she just did it. She had no hang-ups about power and fame. She just served and loved to the max. On the other hand, we have politicians who talk about their desire to serve the people and end up fooling them and stealing from them—to the max.

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The biggest regret in life is when we realize in the end that we missed the chance and the opportunity given to us to serve others because we ended up serving ourselves and our own personal and family interests.

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There can be no real service without sacrifice. We who claim to serve the people, let us ask ourselves today: What have I given up? What have I sacrificed for the Lord and the people?

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Today is World Mission Sunday. We are reminded that two-thirds of the world’s population have not yet heard or accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. All of us are missionaries wherever we are, to bring God’s love. All of us are supposed to share our faith with others and continue to tell the world of His love. Let us all do our part. Let us all do our best to pray, support, and help to spread the Gospel to all creations. “And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16: 15).

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At the moment, we have 122 Filipino SVD missionaries working in about 40 countries all over the world. We pray for them, that they who left home, country, and family remain strong, as they experience all kinds of suffering, deprivations, loneliness, and even persecution in their mission stations. Let us help them, too, with the provisions needed for the mission. For particulars, please contact the Office of the Superior Delegatus through telephone numbers: (+63) 2-70038569; (+63) 906-3792833; or through the email address supdesecph@yahoo.com.

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Infighting is one of the biggest obstacles in our mission. When pride comes up, and becomes the source of misunderstanding, quarrels, and ill feelings, then our work becomes difficult and labored. Let us continue to focus on the Lord, not compare ourselves with others, and not be jealous of one another. Focus on the Lord, not on the load!

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We all still have so much to learn about true service and humility. May the evil one not destroy our unity and cooperation with each other as we serve Him and His people. “That they may be one” (John 17:21), this is the Lord’s wish and prayer for all of us on the night before He suffered and died. This is His last wish still for us, now.

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October is the month of the holy rosary where we pray “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Our Mother and model is full of grace. What about you? What are we full of? Full of ___? Full of money? Full of pride? Full of anger? Full of fear? Full of lies? May we recognize, acknowledge and focus on grace more, and less on worldly wealth and achievements. May we also recognize grace even, and especially, in our pains, illnesses, disappointments, and sufferings!

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Let us focus more on our mission, and less on our titles and positions; focus more on service, and less on the perks and the benefits; focus more on co-workers as partners, not as rivals or competitors; focus more on humility and hiddenness, and less on popularity and human applause. It is the Lord whom we serve, not ourselves.

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