Servant of All

Jesus and his disciples went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:30-37

Servant of All

Oh you who donate leftovers
used clothes and feel proud
remember the smaller the cost
the lesser the blessings.

Oh you who would pride yourselves
on a night of volunteering
the eyes of those who serve you
know your true selves.

Oh proud and mighty
fighting for family and country
observe the refugees
of the country you destroy.

This little child we welcome
will need constant care
food and shelter and patience
all beyond our capacities.

Serving is backbreaking
there is little reward, fame and thanks
but God is among the servants
and those who serve the neediest.








Collect
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.