Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

Today's readings highlight a number of themes, but among them stands service to the Lord. In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus is depicted as the servant of God Who is glorified and Who glorifies God the Father. The hour has come, Jesus explains, as a reference to His own death. Jesus' service requires sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice of giving up His life. St. Paul's service, which we find in today's first reading from the Book of Acts, likewise involves sacrifice. St. Paul eventually dies in Rome because of his service. He is a humble servant of the Lord, who travels around the Mediterranean, bringing God's word to peoples and towns. St. Paul even mentions in today's first reading that he is not sure what will happen to him when he travels to Jerusalem to bring God's message. He is aware, however, of the numerous ways in which he is putting his life at risk for the sake of God's service.

We too must become humble servants of the Lord. That is what we are called to do. During this last week of Easter, let us really try to discern what ways of service the Lord is calling us to. Perhaps God is calling us to serve in new ways. Perhaps the Lord is calling us to offer our services to our parish community in ways we have not yet served. Let us pray for the wisdom and courage to serve the Lord as He desires us to serve. Sometimes this will involves sacrifice. We probably will not be asked to sacrifice our lives, but there are many other forms of sacrifice: time, money, effort, etc. Service often involves such sacrifices. Taking St. Paul and especially Jesus as our model, let us serve the Lord humbly, and with the joy that Easter brings.

- Jeff Morrow