Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Jesus says: The greatest is your servant.
We have a saying at the Abbey: “If you want to know what’s going on, ask a novice!” Novices are not servants, not thought of as slave labor, but they often are expected to do some of the menial chores around the monastery: empty the trash, clean the bathrooms, etc. The work of the novice, or anyone who serves, is vital to the functioning of the Abbey. They might not be the head of some department, and their name might not appear on official documents, but their influence is felt, and their work is appreciated. Jesus was critical of those men who enjoyed being seen in all their finery. “Hear what they say, but don’t follow their example.” Jesus is different. You can trust his words, and you can certainly follow his example: he is the suffering servant.
Reflection by Fr. Martin DeMeulenaere, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections