Jennifer Server

When I started working at the assisted living care facility for the elderly, I was hired as a “waitress” in the dining room. I had come off a long much needed break from ministry and still grieving the loss of my dad, and I remember feeling a bit apprehensive in a “how the heck did I get here?” kind of way. It was my first day of work and as I was walking into the building, the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks and had me look down at my nametag. It said “Jennifer” and directly underneath my name, “Server”. I have not been called Jennifer since high school and/or only at the doctor’s office, but I was very aware in that moment that a name change in the Bible means a person is being called out of something old and into something new for a very specific purpose: Abraham & Sarah, Peter, Paul, etc. Prior to this I had been feeling a bit dejected and a little sorry for myself as I had taken a very significant pay cut and perhaps this new job was “beneath” my gifts and me. Jesus reminded me, through the Holy Spirit in that moment, who I am, who I have always been, and what my truest vocation is: Server. My vocation is to serve and always had been. I, Jen, needed a name change AND a title change to remember that. That one moment changed me forever. It was so significant, like a burning bush, take off your shoes for this is holy ground encounter, and it launched me into the most beautiful career path I could ever hope for. I serve the most vulnerable of our community and it is an honor to be their “server”. I am theirs and they are mine and taking care of their most basic needs is exactly what God has called me to do as remembrance that I serve Him. I am to love each person He puts in front of me and I am to serve him or her humbly. What an amazing gift? Side note: when I looked at everyone else's nametag, mine was the only one that said "Server", the rest said "Wait Staff" or "Dietary." I love it when God is that specific!!

Today’s gospel message was directed specifically at the Apostles and the focus us on service. He commissions the Apostles to serve and that following the Master’s commands is their primordial obligation. He is setting them up for the display of this kind of service when Jesus would soon be washing their feet. Servant leadership is a command from God through Jesus. It does not seem optional. We are an apostolic church and therefore, this call applies to each and every one of us: to serve God. Service to God looks exactly like service to one another because God lives in each and every one of us. To serve means to expect nothing in return and to do so because it pleases the Master. I know for us, today’s gospel might seem a bit archaic as in we don’t have “servants” anymore, however, everyday I allow my nametag, Jennifer Server, to remind me that I am called to serve. I looked up other words for “serve” and here’s what came up: help, minister, work for. Yep, that pretty much sums it up. May each of us help, minister, and work for our amazing Master today and it is well with my soul. 

Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
Lectionary: 492

Reading 1 TI 2:1-8, 11-14

Beloved:
You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine,
namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified,
self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior,
not slanderers, not addicted to drink,
teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women
to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers,
under the control of their husbands,
so that the word of God may not be discredited.

Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves,
showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect,
with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech
that cannot be criticized,
so that the opponent will be put to shame
without anything bad to say about us.

For the grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of the great God
and of our savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.

Responsorial Psalm PS 37:3-4, 18 AND 23, 27 AND 29

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the land
and dwell in it forever.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Alleluia JN 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 17:7-10

Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"