A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Luke 22:24-26
“If we let Christ reign in our soul, we will not become authoritarian. Rather we will serve everyone. How I like that word: service! To serve my king and, through Him, all those who have been redeemed by His blood. I really wish we Christians knew how to serve, for only by serving can we know and love Christ and make Him known and loved.”
Josemaría Escrivá in Christ is Passing: Homilies by Josemaría Escrivá (New York: Scepter, 1974) 276.
This weekend I get to serve a large group of men. They are workers whom I will exhort to grow as workers for God. My call to them will not be for them to leave their occupations, whether they be school teachers, accountants, or manufacturers, but to remain in those roles as workers for God whose greatest testimony is their humble, sacrificial service.
Why do this? It is precisely what Jesus did in His day with His disciples. So their lives would exhibit generous service, His disciples had to identify and get rid of the world’s way of thinking focused on amassing great wealth, position, and power, and instead, focus on service.
Serve generously today. Go the extra mile. Don’t focus on what you can get but focus on how you can give through your role. Remember that authoritarian thinking is not becoming of followers of Christ. Empty yourself in service to others and watch Christ enrich you. Make Christ known through your life at work.