THE SERVICE STATIONS OF THE CROSS - One Bread, One Body, 3/4/2015

Wednesday, March 4, 2015, St. Casimir

Jeremiah 18:18-20, Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16, Matthew 20:17-28
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030415.cfm

THE SERVICE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

"Such is the case with the Son of Man Who has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His own life as a ransom for the many." -Matthew 20:28

Most people recognize they have an inner desire to serve others. Millions are serving the poor, the sick, children, the elderly, the homeless, etc. At Christmas time, many people are even more conscious of their need to serve.
However, service has a tendency to get out of hand. It feels good to serve, but it also hurts to serve. For example, Jeremiah was not only unappreciated for his service to God's people; he was even "repaid with evil" (Jer 18:20). After Jesus challenged His apostles to become servants, He called them to become "the slaves of all" (Mt 20:27, our transl), even to giving their lives for others (Mt 20:28). Service gets out of our control and leads to a godly slavery and the cross of Calvary.
Therefore, although we have an inner desire to serve, we also have a strong inner desire not to serve, to draw the line to limit service, to abort service before we have to suffer and die to ourselves.
Will you drink of the cup (Mt 20:22) of crucified service-slavery? Will you let God's love crucify your flesh and selfishness? (see Gal 5:24) With Jesus, come to serve (Mt 20:28). Come to the cross.


Prayer: Father, I will serve and not count the cost.

Promise: "The Son of Man...has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His own life as a Ransom for the many." -Mt 20:28

Praise: As a teenager, St. Casimir lived his faith by mortification, even sleeping on the ground.

(You may wish to order our booklet, Scriptural Stations of the Cross".)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from February 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 2014

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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