The word “servant” evokes pictures of Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs and would seem to have little place in a modern republic. However, the story of Abraham would seem to indicate a deeper meaning. Abraham obeyed God’s command to leave his own country and to trust in his direction to a promised land. His faith began the journey of the Jewish people, leading to the birth of Jesus and our salvation.
Throughout history we see examples of service, given for a variety of causes. We can think of people like St Peter Claver, who worked for the slaves transported from Africa to South America in horrible conditions, of Florence Nightingale, who nursed sick soldiers in the Crimea, or St Damien who cared for lepers in Hawaii. Service often requires moving upstream against the current and incurring unpopularity. Peter Claver was struggling against vested interests, Florence Nightingale was invading new territory against male opposition and St Damien, continually in contact with leprosy, eventually died of the disease.
Service requires dedication and persistence. Perhaps for most of us it is the everyday small acts of kindness and compassion that are important. Jesus said: “If anyone even gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you he will not lose his reward” (Matt. 10:42). St Ignatius of Loyola made the following reflection: “What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What ought I to do for Christ?”