Leaders Must Humbly Serve - Weekday Homily Video

God can teach us in many ways. Yesterday, I felt like the wedding guest from the parable of the man who showed up at the feast wearing the wrong garment. As I joyfully sang out the last line of “Amazing Grace” at Mass. One of our friends here at the Peyton Center, Virginia, tapped me on the shoulder and pointed over to Father Pinto, who pointed to his chasuble, and, for some strange reason, with all the other priests, was wearing white vestments while I proudly was wearing green.

I was humbled but grateful that I learned that I needed to change to honor St. Frances Cabrini, yesterday’s saint. Today’s gospel also leads us to consider humility as it relates to the service of God and others.

Advice for the Apostles

Jesus, in a turn from what we might expect in today’s parable, seems to be promoting servitude and exalting the rights of a master. Ordinarily, we’d hear Jesus turning the tables on this story. So, what’s going on? Well, it always helps to ask who was Jesus teaching. In this case, it was the Apostles, the men He’d chosen to entrust the authority and power to act in His Name.

Jesus was teaching the Apostles how they were to be shepherds of the flock and to remind them that they were to serve, as well as lead God’s people. As I thought about this message, it reminded me of Father Bill McCarthy, of St. John’s in Quincy, who founded Father Bill’s Place for the homeless and needy, which is now partnered with Mainspring, as well as Father Neil Heery from Sacred Heart in N. Quincy. I can picture each pastor faithfully and humbly serving their flocks and on each Holy Thursday, getting down on their knees in imitation of Jesus at the Last Supper washing the feet of the Apostles.

Sometimes, Jesus can surprise us. Just as in the twelfth chapter of Luke’s gospel, He’d spoken of the master who reverses roles and waits on his servant. But in this case, Jesus seeks to prevent the Apostles from falling into a sense of entitlement in their ministry.

Jesus is reminding the Apostles that it is God’s will that we seek to follow; it is His commands that the Apostles are to do. It is human nature to drift and sometimes not notice how our change in attitude affects our behaviors, whether through advancing in age, education, or our career. Jesus is making it clear to the Apostles that though they have been given a great responsibility, their lives are to be about serving God and His people, not serving themselves.

Humble Examples

One great gift that parents can give their children is to teach them that there is no work beneath anyone if it is in service of God and His people. To teach our young people by example is the best way to show that stacking chairs or cleaning up after a church event and countless other examples is not just “what other people do,” but what we do too.

And the best teachers of these lessons are the people with the most money or power. When former President Jimmy Carter began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, he showed everyone that he wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and pound some nails to serve the poor. Likewise, these priests with me today, all know how to do manual labor and I know many here also know what it is to serve.

Lead As We Serve

What Jesus taught the Apostles is what they would need to be missionaries in spreading God’s message, caring for the flock, and providing nourishment and healing through the Eucharist, Confession, and other Sacraments.

My brothers and sisters, humble service is an attitude or, better yet, a virtuous way of life. One that is not only rewarding but in imitation of Jesus and the path to heaven and one that can allow us to lead others to Jesus as we serve in His Name.

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

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