Serving without looking to be thanked

But let us leave these considerations aside and return to the thread of what we were talking about before. I was speaking about service and was pointing out some of the characteristics it should possess in our case. I want to pause now to consider another point related to the lay manner of working we have in the Work, namely, disinterestedness. We have to serve, I’ve always said, without looking for even a nod of thanks here on earth.

Serving, not domineering

In all conscience, I can assure you that this is not a common practice. We have to pray in such a way that the reasons adduced by St Bernard in his letter to Pope Eugene III, are only past history, when he said in the “Five Books on Consideration”: “Great abuse! Nowadays, very few look to the lawgiver’s lips, but all bend their eyes on his hands. And not without good reason (…). They love to dominate and it is then, especially, they want to make themselves your masters when they profess to be your slaves. They will promise to serve you faithfully, in order to injure you the more easily when they have gained your confidence (…).

“They are hateful alike to heaven and to earth, because to both they offer violence, in that they treat God with impiety and the things of God with disrespect, while they are at war among themselves, jealous of their neighbours, and cruel towards strangers: they love no one and are loved by none. And since they desire to make themselves feared by all, they are under the necessity of fearing all.

“These are they who cannot endure to be subject, yet know not how to rule, unfaithful to superiors, unbearable to inferiors. They are as shameless in asking for themselves as they are pitiless in refusing others. Importunate beggars, they cannot rest until they obtain what they desire. But as for gratitude, no benefits can awaken this feeling in their breasts.

“They have taught their tongue to speak grandiloquently, although their works are mean enough. They are most generous in making promises, and most miserly in keeping them; most fulsome in flattery, and most venomous in slander; the most malicious of traitors.”⁵

Not looking to people, but to God

My children, the quotation is long, but requires no commentary. Don’t forget that love and service to the Church, when authentic, do not stop at the people who preside, for they always aim higher: Domino Christo servite (Col 3:24). It is Christ whom we must serve, and I assure you that, in this, rectitude of intention is not easy.