Serving others is a hallmark of our faith. We are servants because God is a servant. We recall how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, saying, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.” (Jn 13:14). Far from just being a penance that we do, something temporary until we reach perfection in heaven, service is a part of love. Our natural response when we encounter others should be to want to promote the good of the person in front of us because that person bears God’s image; God who is completely loveable. This is God’s response when he sees us.
What a blessing we are when we demonstrate our love through service. When, in God’s love, we become true servants of someone, that person can have a real experience of God’s love. Our kindness and service to those we meet can transform individual lives and our society. We hope that they respond by desiring to live as God’s servants as well, and that they commit themselves in a greater way to the Church, God’s family, alongside all their brothers and sisters.
Our service to those we meet gives glory to God and helps to build the kingdom of God in deeds just as we joyfully share the gospel of Jesus in words.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)