A reminder on the importance of service
IT was good at the recent Coronation to be reminded of the guiding virtue of service in our society, as well as in the high offices of state.
The departments in our governments have the word “service” in their titles to define their function e.g., health, education, police, fire and so on.
It is quite disconcerting to hear about abuse, discrimination, bullying or the misuse and careless handling of public money in positions and places of trust. Are some people, who ought to know better, not on the same planet as the rest of us?
The “spirit of service” must extend surely into our awareness of another person’s status and space as a human being, as well as the tasks demanded of the job.
Human resources cannot exist without reciprocal human relationships.
Our media is an essential service which brings us down to earth in many ways when it contains heartwarming and challenging stories about those who have gone out of their way to help others and make a difference in society.
A lot of serving or caring for our “neighbour” goes on behind the scenes and seldom hits the headlines. I take my hat off to those who give unsparingly of their time to look after the youngsters in our uniformed organisations and community activities, as well as the caring folks in every neighbourhood who have time to keep an eye on the vulnerable and needy.
Service is a way of life and not just a one-off event. At the heart of our understanding of what makes life worth living is that we have a Creator who stands amongst us as “one who serves” (St Luke 22:27).
A truth echoed by King Charles at his crowning.
Those who think that the world revolves round them and who are self-centred in their outlook devalue themselves and their own capacity to make the world a better place.
We are challenged about service by Ignatius Loyola (16th century Spanish saint) who gave us his famous prayer, “O God teach us to be generous in serving you as you deserve to be served: to give without counting the cost: to fight without fear of being wounded: to work without seeking rest and to spend ourselves without expecting any reward except in knowing that we are doing your holy will.”
In these words, Ignatius is uncompromising in his understanding of how we are to serve one another and God.
He is robust in how we are to develop our God-given humanity and strength of character and helping us see what truly makes the world go round.
He would not endorse lip-service to solve the world’s problems or ignore dodgy dealings be they in the corridors of powers or round the kitchen table. However, he did leave his friends a stimulating thought, “laugh and grow strong”.
True servants of God, King Charles among them, have an expected sense of humour and a caring heart.
Canon George Burgon,
Barton Seagrave