The servant disciple: God guides him

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  James Carrano

Every day I am reminded of the various roles that the Lord has given me.

The role of a new father is ever changing, always interesting and exciting! My son Isaac is about 10 months old, quite adventurous and independent.

Now, in the gospel, Jesus makes many comments about who will inherit the kingdom . . .

"Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . . . ' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'

Christ the King (Nov. 20, 2005) Ez 34:11-12, 15-17 Ps 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6 Cor 15:20-26, 28 Mt 25:31-46

"And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

When I look at this list, it would be easy to feel good because of all of the things I do for my son . . . feed the hungry, check. Give drink to the thirsty, check. Welcome the stranger - a new baby comes into the world and knows no one, and I am there, check!

Naked and clothed, check. Sick and cared for, check. In prison and I visited them . . . it is a stretch but the bars in the crib sure do look like a jail cell! Check! I am set!

Nope, not quite! Don't get me wrong, this is a good start, but there needs to be more. Remember, Jesus says to us, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me."

So if I am mean or impatient with others then I am being mean and impatient with Christ. Now I am doomed!

What must I do to inherit eternal life? Let's look at our readings. "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." Or, "I myself will pasture my sheep."

The Lord Jesus is my guide and my hope. I must allow God to guide my actions and direct me into what to do and how to serve!

I shall not want because God is going to guide me. The Shepherd directs the sheep to where they should go so that they can be most fruitful.

"In verdant pastures he gives me repose." I spend time in the rich pastures of the Word of God and He gives me what I need to prosper. God's Word guides us as to how to live and to act.

Jesus is this Word. Jesus shows us how to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. He gives people what they need. It does not matter what I want to give, it is all about what others need.

"He restores my soul." God will give us the strength and restore us when we feel like we have nothing left to give. Keep giving even if you feel like you have nothing left to give.

	Reflection questions • Are you serving others the way they need to be served or the way you think they need to be served? • What can you do to help someone feel as if their needs are more important than your own?

So, I continue to serve my son and try to do whatever he needs. I am reminded that I must serve what he needs instead of serving what I think he needs.

When I seek first to understand others, that is when real and great change can occur. That is when Jesus can say to me, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'

I pray that God will help me to serve my son and the students of UW-Madison in the way they need to be served.

James Carrano is director of music and liturgical ministries at St. Paul University Catholic Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

Faith Alive!

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