Yes, we know we are called to be a servant for God; however, why is there so much suffering in the world? Why does life appear to be so unfair? Why does God allow all the injustice, suffering and pain? And if he is all powerful then why doesn’t he step in and make everything right? If we become a servant then how can our service help with any of this? And what does it really mean to be a servant of God anyway? I think the answer can be found in an examination of today’s readings.
Favored Sons?
How could Joseph’s brothers be filled with so much hate? They initially plotted to kill their youngest brother; however, they settled instead to sell him to a band on Ishmaelites. This decision promised to produce who knows how much suffering in young Joseph’s life. Obviously family and sibling rivalry is nothing new! Of course we know the outcome in Joseph’s case. Through love and forgiveness Joseph ended up saving his family from certain death through starvation. In the end, Joseph became highly revered by the Jewish people.
Then we read in today’s Gospel about the killing of the land owner’s son. Again, another son who was hated and despised while being wholly loved by his father. The tenants in this parable were the chief priests and the Pharisees – the religious leaders of the time. And the servants, who the landowner sent to obtain the produce, could be found the crowds. These were the people who regarded Jesus as a prophet. The servants sought God; however, their religious leaders (the tenants) were the very ones who killed God when they killed their savior Jesus Christ. Within the ranks of the servants would be the ones who would produce fruit – not the tenants. We must decide if we are going to be a servant or a tenant in our life.
Authentic Ownership
We must always remember that God is the one true land owner. We own nothing in this world that he created. Yes, we may have a piece of paper here or there that says we own this or that. However, the truth is that everything we have came to us through God in one way shape or form. The creator of the universe is also the owner of the universe – including our little part of it. It is up to us to decide if we are to become a servant or a tenant with the life God has given us.
There exists a foundational difference between a servant and a tenant. A servant lives to serve and holds the understanding within his heart that he will never be the landowner. Whereas, a tenant holds on to some sort of legal claim and authority over the land he oversees. This false belief of authority of the tenant leaves him vulnerable to false power and corruption – like the chief priests and Pharisees.
God calls all of us to be his servants, remaining ever mindful that it is in our serving we become united with God. Or as Saint Francis of Assisi said “For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born into eternal life”. We have a loving God who seeks to serve us through love and he calls us into his loving service. We are called to be his servants, not tenants.
Healing This Suffering World
So back to healing this suffering world. Think for a moment what the world would look like if we all had a heart of a servant, if we all sought to serve and not be served. What if our hearts were like Joseph’s? If you know his story then you know he was faced with many trials in Egypt, yet through service to God’s will he would eventually be used to save God’s chosen people. Then we have Jesus. He sought not his will, he sought the will of his Father. I can hardly contain the thought of his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, let alone even begin to understand the power of his love and service for mankind.
You see, Joseph and Jesus were both favored sons of their fathers. Why? I can only guess this is the case because they sought to be in service to their fathers. They never sought to be tenants, let alone be owners of their lives. And Jesus, being the favored son of God, reveals to us the path we need to follow in order to become free and fully live. And yes, sometimes that journey will include suffering. After all Jesus, the favored son of God, suffered greatly.
So What Can We Do
By remaining ever mindful of our servant identity we stand to receive all the blessings and riches God has for us. Yet, we must also remain ever mindful that we are all one body in Christ. When one of the least of us is in pain, his body is in pain. Looking around the world, looking within our communities, and looking within our families we see pain and heartache. Christ’s body is still broken today and we can minister to it as God’s servants. We do this when we love, when we forgive, and when we seek to serve.
Yet before we can serve to our greatest capacity we must heal the dark places in our hearts, the anger, fear, resentment and bitterness. This can be done by following Jesus’ lead. One of the things sacred scripture reveals to us is the many times Jesus went to pray and spend time with the Father – often for days and weeks on end. During this Lenten season of 40 days we are invited to spend more time with our heavenly Father. As we spend time with God in prayer he will speak to our heart. He will heal our hearts and transform them into the hearts of a servant willing to do his will. I believe we can best accomplish this through meditation and contemplative prayer.
About the Picture Up There
Well, that’s a picture that was taken last weekend when my husband, myself and our two oldest granddaughters volunteered at a local food pantry. It was a day where we shared laughter, love and we gave to the community. We certainly received much more than we gave and the cherished memories left in the hearts of grandparents and granddaughters will remain. It truly is in giving that we receive.
Fasting of the Mind
The last two weeks I mentioned Fasting of the Mind in my reflections – a term I am using to represent an emptying of the mind and heart through various forms of meditation. As we empty our mind and heart we create a space for God to fill it up with his infinite love and service. As we move closer towards God we will judge less, we will experience less anger, and we will more fully become a servant in a world that needs our love and service.
Several of our readers have shared with us their favorite forms of meditation and contemplation. I invite you to share yours with us today in the comments section below. Your form of meditation may be just what another reader needs today.
Forms of Fasting of the Mind
There are many ways to pray and meditate including the Rosary and many beautiful Chaplets and Novenas – I love being Catholic!!!! Below you will find other options I have found to be very helpful. I have found it particularly helpful to experience these meditations in Eucharistic Adoration after Mass.
The Nine Faces of Struggle
Sometimes we will become “stuck”, not knowing how to escape from pain and heartache. As human beings we walk around in a world filled with emotions that run counter to love. Over my years of practice I have identified what I call the “Nine Faces of Struggle”. These are common blocks I have witnessed that serve to separate individuals from the healing balm of love. Here is the link if you would like to learn more: The Nine Faces of Struggle
I hope you find your way home towards the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ – the one who is love himself. May you speak and think words of love, forgiveness and mercy as you sing and praise of God’s glory! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Father God – consume us.
Holy Spirit – enter in to us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
My Book
I have created a pdf version for those who seek to read my book, Understanding The Jesus Code, yet have found it is not available via Amazon in their country, or those who are financially unable to obtain a copy. If you are experiencing either issue please email me at DrCarolyn@TheLIVEMethod.com so I can help.
