December 2010: To serve and not to be served.
Post date: Dec 7, 2010 2:04:18 PM
Jesus Christ was born into poverty and took our form. Have you really tried to wrap your mind around that concept? Our Lord and God came to us not only as a human, but in the form of a poor child, of parents who held a lowly status in Jewish culture. He was born in a manger, dare I say a filthy one. Perhaps not filthy by the standards of livestock, but certainly by our standards today. And I find that to be very important because Jesus comes to us everyday and finds us "where we are".
I will confess that I prefer to be "served" sometimes than to serve. Let's face it, I am human and I am fallen and I do not like to be uncomfortable. I prefer to be pampered, warm, well fed and clothed and otherwise, "spoiled" at certain terms. In fact, I type this and recall not too long ago, Thanksgiving and how I felt after having enjoyed a delicious meal with our family.
And so the rush begins ...... the secular rush to "buy stuff". Sometimes I find myself feeling very annoyed during this time of year to see most of our society fall in line like lemmings to conquer one another in pursuit of something temporal and truly meaningless (see the latest toy, trinket, et al). I made the comment recently to my wife Kathy that "I really don't like this time of year". I certainly don't mean Advent or Christmas as we understand them as Catholics. But rather, I simply feel a great deal of disdain for how our secular culture goes about the entire commercial aspect of the Birth of Christ.
And so, what do we do with this nonsense that we find happening all around us? It's a big enough playing field so why not jump in, right? Most would say no. But, we are called to bring Christ to those who really have lost the meaning of Christmas and to those who are working so hard against the message of Christ. And this "service" can be done in smaller, easier and most times, more effective ways as we go about our daily lives during Advent. You and I do not have to go out and engage in huge projects to make a difference. Of course, if time and funds permit, huge projects are great. But instead, if pressed for time and funding, we can do something as we engage the secular world around us. I like to engage people in conversation about Christ when I am out in public, especially around the time of Advent and Christmas. Both Kathy and I enjoy wearing our "Keep Christ in Christmas" type buttons when we shop for gifts. I gently but firmly, make a point to coax the cashiers to respond "Merry Christmas" to me when I offer that greeting it to them. The sign of relief and appreciation on most faces is priceless.
Again, it is the little things that we can do to "serve" Jesus by gently and lovingly engaging His people about His message that can make a big difference in our world. We are facing an enormous onslaught of anti-Christian efforts here in America as well as the rest of the world. And to think about it, it can be overwhelming. So, start out where you can in say ... Whitmore Lake, South Lyon, Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Howell, Brighton ....... you get the picture. Give the gift of Jesus by giving the gift of gentle conversation after asking the Holy Spirit for help. And then, let Him do the talking for you.
This month we also said goodbye to a dear friend and fellow Sir Knight, Anthony "Tony" F. Rybski as he went forth to meet our Lord on December 4, 2010. While making some administrative preparations for Tony and his widow Bernie, I discovered a few things. Where were you on April 1st, 1956? Well, Tony was becoming a 3rd Degree Knight on that day. In fact, Tony went through all three degrees on the same day. I am very proud of our Order and of how our Insurance Representative, Michael Irwin responded to Bernie Rybski. It is comforting to know that the Knights are here for Brothers who are sick and for their widows and children after we pass away.
Before I close, I want to make one shameless plug for the financial and insurance instruments that are available though the Knights of Columbus. Please avail yourself of them and do so by contacting Michael Irwin at 1-734-761-3130 or via e-mail michael.irwin@kofc.org
In closing, I am proud to announce that the Knight of the Month for November 2010 is: Brother Michael Blaszak and that our Family for the Month of November 2010 is the Pariseau family. At last Month's meeting, Michael Blaszak was the winner of the book from the Grand Knight's book of the Month Guild. The book selection was donated by Father Gerald and was written by Archbishop Luis M. Martinez and is titled "Secrets of the Interior Life". I look forward to giving another book away this month at the General Meeting. I hope to see you there.
God Love You,
SK Frank Finch
Grand Knight
Council 10963
Old St. Patrick Parish
Whitmore Lake, MI