Servant

Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

The opening lines of The Servant Song express a strong desire to serve in the manner of Christ. It echoes Saint Paul’s teaching on ‘the debt of mutual love’. Love of one another is not simply affection; it seeks the true good of neighbour, even when that requires difficult or uncomfortable action. It leads into our Lord’s teaching on fraternal correction. To speak privately and honestly to someone causing serious harm can be a true act of service, since the goal is to regain the person, not shame or defeat them. Authentic service is always marked with our Lord’s humility. When we correct, encourage, accompany, or forgive, we are called to act without superiority and with the heart of a servant.

We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travellers on the road; We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

To walk together as a communal church shows that faith is not lived as a private matter apart from others. We have responsibilities toward one another; and we commit ourselves to help each other “walk the mile and bear the load.”

I will weep when you are weeping; When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow ‘Til we’ve seen this journey through.

Our Lord is the Servant who bore the griefs and sins of all. His suffering was directed towards salvation, not condemnation. We cannot atone for sin as our Lord did. But we can accompany those who suffer, help them return to God, and refuse to abandon them in their weakness.

When we sing to God in heaven We shall find such harmony, born of all we’ve known together Of Christ’s love and agony.

Our Lord promised to be present when disciples gather in his name. We gather and serve not as isolated individuals but as a community seeking healing and holiness together. A community courageous enough to speak truth, patient enough to forgive, and humble enough to accompany one another.

Congratulations, Father Emilio. It is a joy to see you ordained. We are grateful for your vocation and will continue to pray for you.

Randy Reyes

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