“A SCOUT’S DUTY IS TO BE USEFUL AND TO HELP OTHERS”
We remember Jesus’ words:
“…anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant…” (Mark 10:42–45) “He began to wash the disciples’ feet.” (John 13:5)
On Holy Thursday, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper. We saw Him — Lord and Master — getting down on His knees and washing the feet of His disciples.
“…anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant… the first must be last of all and servant of all.” This may be quite hard to hear, and most of us may find it difficult to put fully into practice in our secular world, where ‘success’ means being on top, having money, degrees, and material possessions. Pope John Paul II once stated, “The worth of a person is not measured by what they have but rather by who they are.”
‘Servanthood’ is expressed by the way we give ourselves to people with love and compassion — the way we treat, respect, support them; the way we talk to them; the way we care and show concern. Greatness is defined by who we are and what we do with our lives. That’s why all Jesus’ decisions, choices, and commitments are directed toward the good and wellbeing of others.
He was the servant of sinners like Zacchaeus, of prostitutes like Mary Magdalene, of tax collectors like Matthew, of thieves like Judas. He was servant of the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles — without discrimination based on religion or culture. He was servant of the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the lame, the sick, and of all the poor of the Gospel…
To be a Scout-servant means to commit oneself to the welfare and wellbeing of others. This is a way to keep one’s lamp lit: do good to the people around you.
We have a long list of saints who all have one thing in common — they put themselves totally at the service of their brothers and sisters. They served, and their service became a power that inspired the lives of many. As St Thomas said, “The things we love tell us what we are.” And what are the things you love?
Fr Jean Pascal DIAME, Spiritan Missionary, England