"Reflection and Response
St. Paul reminds us that the messiness and fatigue of labor and toil are an intrinsic part of proclaiming the gospel. He was not above getting his own hands dirty to avoid burdening anyone else. If we become too distant from the work of busboys, maids and janitors, we run the risk of practicing a religion grown too airy to be real. As we struggle to keep a balance between this world and the next, Paul encourages us to notice that what is at work in us is no human phenomenon, but the vital leaven of God's word.
How clearly Jesus saw down the ages into the 21st century, when the people of God desperately need a reminder of their call to service. Today's readings challenge us to examine the times and places in our lives where we have valued applause or esteem over genuine service to others.
As we reflect on our own lives, it may be helpful to bear in mind models who live what Jesus described. Do we know people who disregard the places of honor and the titles of respect? Do we know those who prefer genuine service to the fluff of adulation? Such people are the best subjects for meditation today: spend some time savoring them in your mind.
Given such positive examples, perhaps we can look critically at the accretions of power that have grown like a cancer in the Church. The phylacteries have turned into miters and crosiers; the marble altars and gem-encrusted chalices affront the poor. Surely Christ calls us to correct these outrages�and to amend our own lives.
So do the difficult thing, and think about yourself: do you gravitate toward the head table and insist on the honorary title? What is your modern equivalent of phylacteries and tassels? Have such tokens of esteem become idols that threaten to replace God on the altar of your heart? If it's hard to be this objective about y"
