Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
“A person or a society that does not react to suffering and injustice and mades an attempt to alleviate them is still distant from the love of Christ’s heart. While Christians enjoy the fullest freedom in finding and applying various solutions to these problems, they should be united in having one and the same desire to serve humankind. Otherwise their Christianity will not be the world and life of Jesus; it will be a fraud, a deception of God and man.”
Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) in Christ is Passing By (Strongsville: Scepter, 1974) 166.
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we give alms not like a bandaid to problems but create fellowship, otherwise, as Escrivá put it, our faith is a fraud by having one and the same desire as Christ.
I sat here pondering the opposite of service. Think about it. What is the opposite of having one and the same desire as Christ? It is pursuing our own desires and agendas, which often comes at the expense of others.
Leaning into this season, we have agreed to be more attentive to people. Let us put their needs in view and add service to that. Motivated by gratitude for the fact that Jesus came to serve us, let us aim at serving others.
Let us do this with the goal not of giving handouts but giving handups. Remember, Jesus did not send help. He came. Let us show up and show our faith is not a fraud in whatever circles God puts us.