Homily for Friday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

During His ministry, Jesus made it clear that He came not to be served but to serve. While He lived on earth as both God and human, He still needed the help of others to accomplish His mission; He wanted people to be a part of the mission.

In today’s Gospel, St. Luke tells us that as Jesus made His way preaching throughout many towns and villages, some women provided for Him from their own resources. Their service to Him enabled Him to serve others.

If Jesus needed the help of others to complete His mission, then we also need such help. As Christians, we are called to serve others and accept the service of others because we need their help; we cannot answer God’s call simply by using our own resources.

Serving others calls for a spirit of benevolence and humility, wanting to do for others while recognizing our need for interdependence. St. Paul taught us that we are all interdependent within the Church, the Body of Christ on earth. The Spirit is at work in all our lives in many ways. We need others, and others need us. We all have something worthwhile to give and something worthwhile to receive.

Let us recognize our need for, and be grateful for, those who journey with us and help us through life.