Service was one of the most striking signs of the life of Jesus.  He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, and raised the dead to life.  He characterized His own life as one of service when he said: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”

Jesus calls us to be people of service.  He tells us that if we want to become a great human being, then we must serve the rest.

Our service might take the form of meeting their physical and material needs by: washing clothes or cooking meals for our family; lending a tool or doing some repairs for a neighbor down the street;  nursing the elderly or babysitting the young.

Our service might take the form of caring for the emotional or psychological needs of others by: offering companionship and friendship, speaking words of hope and encouragement; showing acceptance and giving recognition.

Maybe we can also be of service by meeting the spiritual or faith needs of others.  We could do that by giving good example as we participate in the parish
liturgy or simply by living a simple lifestyle to offset worldly materialism or we could quietly offer up and accept any unavoidable sufferings in our life.

As Catholic Christians we are called to serve.  During Mass we receive the Body and Blood of the Lord who uses us — His Mystical Body— to serve His people.  We serve those we live and work with not in a grudging way, but joyously and generously because we are the Body of Christ.  The gate to heaven is service and we are called by Jesus to join him in service and in heaven.