Joyful Service

As two of the greatest evangelists in the history of Christianity, the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul cannot be understated. Both men encountered Our Lord in radically different ways and left everything behind to follow him. Both were martyred in Rome, Peter crucified upside down while Paul was sentenced to a beheading. These two heroic apostles of Our Lord have something very specific to remind us about this journey into freedom we have been embarking upon.

St. Peter extorts us, “Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16). Peter very clearly illustrates the appropriate expression of our Christian freedom. When we fully possess ourselves, we can make a free choice to serve God.

Inspired by the same Holy Spirit, St. Paul’s message echoes a similar tone, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another” (Galatians 5:13). Once again freedom and service are connected. Our freedom is clearly demonstrated and expressed through service.

Notice the subtle difference between the two statements — Peter calls upon us to be servants of God, while Paul asks us to be servants of one another. This is an absolutely beautiful working of the Holy Spirit because between the two of them they have fully understood and reiterated the two greatest commandments Christ taught us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).

To love and serve both God and our neighbor, this is our Christian calling! Furthermore, Christ taught us how to love another person by laying down our life for them. “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Finally, let us remember that our service to God and others is called to be filled with joy…especially when it is most difficult. In fact, this is the very first instruction St. James imparts upon us, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).