Another way of putting this is to eavesdrop on the farmyard conversation between the pig and the hen discussing their contributions to breakfast bacon and eggs, with apologies to the sensibilities of vegans... The pig is indignant that the hen wants top billing and wants to change the order, and to get people to always refer to eggs and bacon. “How can you?”, splutters the pig, “you have an interest in breakfast; I have a commitment to it.”
There are many things in life where we can see this distinction in practice and many where the lines are a bit more blurred. We can be active contributors to office or factory life, going the extra mile to care for our co-workers, treating them with respect, acknowledging the call on our energy and time to get the job done. Sometimes this is at some personal cost, without being a deep sacrificial commitment that might arise in difficult times. I think of the commitment of the medical professionals during the pandemic, some of whom paid with their lives or with their well-being. That really is service that is Christ-like, recalling the giving of his whole self for our salvation.
Jesus showed us that all sacrifice of our time, talents and wherewithal in the service of others serves and blesses him, our risen Lord. I recently saw that the Wolverhampton Council is trying to encourage people to become school governors, step more into the ring of participants, and contribute to the life of their local school community. I applaud that. I encourage people to consider offering service to their schools, churches, and those caring for those on the margins, like food banks, homeless shelters, or organisations working with asylum seekers. As we do this, we can discover the purpose that propels us forward and makes us more like Jesus. We can discover new callings, passions and projects, all of which bless Jesus. Let that be an encouragement to us all to dip our toes further into the waters of serving and caring for others. In this season, when we remember Pope Francis's counter-cultural and Christ-like life, let at least some of us consider making our service to those on the fringes of our society. Jesus said, “As you do it to one of the least of my children, you do it to me.”
The Rt Revd Dr Timothy Wambunya
Bishop of Wolverhampton