The Holy Gospel according to Matthew (23:8-12).
Jesus spoke to his disciples: “Do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: Today is the Memorial of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. This Gospel is from his Memorial. Today’s Gospel reminds us that our true teacher and Father is God. Jesus advised us not to seek titles, recognition or positions of power. Jesus tells us that greatness is found in serving, not in being served.
Our secular world tells us that greatness means having power, influence, wealth and recognition. But Jesus turns this idea upside down by telling us that the greatest person is the one who humbly serves others. Discipleship is not about what is in it for me. It is not about what do I get out of this. It is about what can I do in service to the Lord.
Jesus gives us the perfect example. Though He is our Lord and Master, He humbles himself and served His disciples. Jesus welcomed the forgotten and marginalized. He forgave sinners and cured the sick. At the Last Supper, He washed the feet of His Apostles. He ultimately gave His life and died on the cross for you and me.
St. Augustine was born in North Africa in 354. The Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours describes his early life as unsettled as he restlessly searched for the truth. He lived a hedonistic lifestyle and was not living a “saintly” life in his early years. While studying in Carthage, he bore a son with his mistress. St. Augustine later taught in Rome and Milan. It was while in Milan that he met St. Ambrose. St. Augustine had a religious conversion and was baptized by St. Ambrose. For many years, St. Monica, Augustine’s mother, offered many tears and prayers for the conversion of her son. Augustine was later ordained a priest and became bishop of Hippo. St. Augustine wrote many works on apologetics and theology, exploring the role of Christians in the world. He wrote Confessions, a spiritual autobiography, telling us about his former attachment to sin, his restless spirit as a young man, and his path to the spiritual conversion. A well-known passage from Confessions is, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
Action for the Day: In our restlessness and search for God, pray for the grace to find God in our brothers and sisters who were created in God’s image and likeness, just like us. When we minister to others, what is our motivation? Do we serve others because we love them, or because we want some recognition. As a disciple of our Lord, may we choose humility over recognition, and love over self-importance. When we place ourselves in God’s hands and serve others, we become more like Christ. Pray for the grace to make this happen.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you. God bless.