The identity of the Christian: live to serve - Mother Anna Maria Canopi Living to serve, here is a really nice ideal for a Christian! Every genuine service, in fact, has its roots in the mystery of Christ to save us "although the form of God ... emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" (Phil. 2, 6-7). Jesus came to earth to teach us to serve. He is our model. During the Last Supper, after the washing of feet, said to his disciples:
"You know what I have done? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you an example, because, as I did, you also should do. "(Jn 13, 12-15).
conformed to Christ means, therefore, in situations in which we live and work, being able to say spontaneously:" I came to serve, not to be served "(cf Mt 20:28)," being that is always available for the good of others, "rather," be good for others. "
The difference is not small: it is to go from doing something for the brothers, to be one person for another as Jesus is "to us.
This way of relating to God and neighbor brings to life a new dimension: you are in any state - consecrated or lay, alone or married, healthy or sick - again you have a mission, that of giving. And since the self-giving means being committed to an ongoing conversion to deny to themselves, those who live in the inner dimension avoids being in competition and rivalry with the brothers, not acting under the thrust of ambition and selfishness, escape the hostility, violence, aggression, with all the sad consequences which, unfortunately, will perform on the stage of this world. So, although apparently not occupies a place in society can be discerned, the Christian really helps to build the "civilization of love" where he lives is a presence of peace that spreads around him love and a spirit of communion, fosters collaboration and harmony to all levels, it becomes a leaven of righteousness and holiness.
Ideally, the service also involves other consequences. If you live in peace with others does not advance the rights themselves, rather it seeks to put in the perspective of "duty." Today we talk easily of "rights", but at least we think that if everyone has the right to be free, to have the necessary to live, that means that I have a duty to do what is needed for that person for his own good. Certainly it is an attitude to adopt each other, a shared responsibility. How important is reciprocity! However, as we are concerned, we must above all be concerned to do our duty, that is to serve others with love, for free, even if we do not receive from others in return. Indeed, that difference becomes apparent when, just then it's time to live the Gospel to the letter without following the mentality of the world.
In other words, it should be noted only the law of "give to receive, because our identity as men and Christians - if they want to be - is characterized by a surfeit of love, with which you do not do good to receive the return, but it does it for free, though, and always, without fear of "losing" because the good that you also always returns to its author: It is never against us. Indeed just as the others do not reciprocate, we earn more on the spiritual plane, and become more compliant, more similar to Christ. And this is the real gain: sanctity. Who does good has his reward, because it is occurring according to the plan of God Little by little, in his choices, is no longer a slave to a purely human and utilitarian, or worse, a slave to his passions, but rises to a nobler conception of life and spiritual, and acquire the ability to have authentic relationships and happy with everyone.
This is so important, especially in our time that, with the development of communications and also as a result of migration of peoples, those who dedicate themselves to others is often to be in contact with many people of other nationalities and also of different religions. It is a fine example of free open to all, every man deserves to be honored, loved, served, in every nation and whatever their faith.
When these meetings take place in a spirit of genuine warmth and humanity, strongly favors the formation of fraternal relations and peaceful, because the donated property raises other good. In a world dominated by violence, so quietly weaves a web of friendship, he says with facts that all men are indeed brothers, sons of one God, all moving towards a single goal. We are all poor and weak, but if we help the efforts of the walk can be tackled with greater confidence where one falls, another is ready to lift it, and when one is less courage, whoever is next for him becomes a ray of hope. This is also a service that we are called to each other. And it must do so with joyful willingness, knowing that we always beside us Jesus, our traveling companion. Indeed, he himself is the Way. Watching him, we can no longer be content to go only "to a certain point" because he did not stop up the hill of Calvary, but it has served humanity to rise up on the cross. From his example comes the strength to go beyond the "conveniences" human, accepting not only fatigue, but also the humiliation that often involves the service and accepted as moments of grace, to free us from the terrible sin of pride c'insidia that more often and also ruin the good we can do.
To serve others must be really small, humble, to know how to kneel down before them, put their feet. It is difficult, because our ego is hard to die, but in this sacrifice there is sadness, rather it derives its true joy. Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and the apostle Paul says: "God loves a cheerful giver." These are words of life to remember forever.
Who is the "servant" for the sake of Christ and his neighbor is happy and free to enjoy, together with all the treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven.
How would the world be if each of us every morning, proposing to put on Christ, taking on his thoughts and feelings to reproduce the works and if we were to put to work vigorously as good workers, saying: "For I serve is to reign: today I want to start living it. "
(Canopi Mother Anna Maria)
