Homily for the Memorial of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian

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

 

In today’s Gospel passage, St. Luke says that as Jesus made His way preaching throughout many towns and villages, some women provided for Him out of 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 are also in need of such help. As Christians, we are called to serve others, and we are also called to accept the service of others because we do need their help; we cannot answer God’s call simply using our own resources.

 

Serving others calls for a spirit of generosity and humility, wanting to do for others while recognizing our need for interdependence with others. 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.+