Words of the Holy Father-not to be served, but to serve-09-22-24

 Words of the Holy Father-not to be served, but to serve-09-22-24

Today, the word “service” appears a bit hackneyed, worn out by use. But it has a precise and concrete meaning in the Gospel. To serve is not a courteous expression: it means to act like Jesus, who, summing up his life in a few words, said he had come “not to be served, but to serve” (Mk 10:45). This is what the Lord said. Therefore, if we want to follow Jesus, we must follow the path he himself traced out, the path of service. (…) Jesus embraces those children and says that those who welcome a little one, a child, welcome him (cf. v. 37). The ones who are to be served above all are: those in need of receiving who cannot give anything in return. To serve those who need to receive and cannot give anything in return. In welcoming those on the margins, the neglected, we welcome 

Jesus because He is there. And in the little one, in the poor person we serve, we also receive God’s tender embrace. (…) Let us ask ourselves: Am I, who follow Jesus, interested in the one who is neglected? (…) And, concretely: do I dedicate time to a “little one”, to a person who has no means to pay me back? Am I concerned about someone who cannot give me anything in return, or only with my relatives and friends? (Angelus, 19 September 2021)

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Anyone who welcomes one of these little children, welcomes me https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50685