Universal Utterings®
for July 25, 2024

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07-25-2024 Matthew 20 V-2528 To serve and not be served

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The Book of Matthew 20 v- 25 thru 28

25 But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 26 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus explains the essence of true greatness by emphasizing servitude and sacrifice. He contrasts the domineering rulers of the Gentiles with the leaders in His kingdom, who must be servants and slaves to all. This profound teaching culminates in verse 28, where Jesus declares, "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." This statement encapsulates the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission, underscoring that His ultimate act of service was to offer His life for the salvation of humanity.

The concept of Jesus giving His life as a ransom finds a tangible and perpetually accessible expression in the Eucharist. According to Catholic doctrine, the Eucharist is not merely a symbol but the true presence of Jesus Christ—His body, blood, soul, and divinity. This belief is grounded in the words of institution during the Last Supper, where Jesus took bread and wine, blessed them, and declared them to be His body and blood. Thus, in the Eucharist, the faithful encounter the very life of Christ given for their redemption.

The Eucharist, therefore, is intrinsically linked to Jesus' sacrificial act on the cross. Whenever the Eucharist is celebrated, it is a re-presentation of Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice on Calvary. The same Jesus who served and gave His life as a ransom is truly present in the sacrament, continuing to offer Himself to the faithful. This perpetual self-giving nourishes believers spiritually and unites them intimately with Christ's redemptive work.

In essence, the Eucharist embodies the servitude and sacrifice highlighted in Matthew 20:25-28. It is the living testament of Jesus' commitment to serve and save humanity. Through the Eucharist, the faithful partake in the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus, reinforcing the profound mystery of God's love and the call to emulate His servant leadership. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

07-25-2024 Matthew 20 V-2528

**To serve and not be served**

In lands where rulers wield their might,

And power's grasp is cold and tight,

The Gentiles’ lords, they seek to reign,

With heavy hearts and selfish gain.

But in this world of stark contrast,

A voice of love speaks clear and vast,

"Among you it shall not be so,

For greatness serves, and egos go."

The Son of Man, He came to show,

A path where humble servants grow,

Not to be served, but serve instead,

To heal the broken, raise the dead.

He knelt to wash the dusty feet,

In service, love and grace complete,

And then He bore the cross of shame,

To ransom many, free from blame.

His life, He gave, a gift so pure,

A sacrifice that would endure,

Not for the few, but for the throng,

A melody of love's sweet salvation song.

In bread and wine, His presence real,

A sacred feast, a holy meal,

His body, blood, in mystery,

A testament for all to see.

The Eucharist, His life we share,

In humble hearts, His love declare,

To serve as He, our humble King,

In every act, His praises sing.

So let us heed His call to grace,

In every time, in every place,

To serve, to love, to give our all,

As Christ did answer, to the call. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

July 25, 2024 @ 06:59 AM EST

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