Jesus did not begin his farewell discourse with mere words. Often such words are of little use, unless carried out in action. He asked his followers, if they had grasped the tone of his symbolic work, "Open your eyes and see, I am with you as one of yours. I am not seated above you on a throne for you to grovel before me as slaves. No! I stripped myself of glory and became one of you. More than that, I left my place as teacher and master to become a servant. Have you now understood the direction that divine love has to take? The proud man vaunts himself, the one who loves humbles himself and endures all things, denies himself and serves bodily and practically."
"You wish to be my disciples, as I am your exemplar, I do not merely speak, but act out my teaching. Look at me: I am a servant. If you wish to follow me, bow down and practice mutual service. He that is among you who wishes to be first, is the feeblest. But he who serves others calmly and remains lowly is truly great."
"Do not imagine that the Church is a collection of perfect saints. They are all in the process of becoming. I have purified them all and they are saints in principle. But every member needs patience and time for spiritual growth. Everyone errs and stumbles. Here is my charge and command: Forgive one another your mistakes and sins. Judge not one another, but help others. Do not wash the heads of others, but their feet. No one should lord it over others; you are brothers. If you acted thus, you will realize what I have made clear already: I have not come to be served but to serve. My life is service, sacrifice and yielding for all."
"I send you into the world apostles of love. The sent one is great like him who sends. Your first duty is to become servants like me. If you realize this, you will have grasped the motto and watchword of Christianity."
"My second principle: If you know this, blessed are you, if you do it. I have not spoken of love as mere words; I have practiced it." Service is labor and sacrifice, not words, prayers and feelings only. The impulse to service is in a believer’s nature. From this nucleus proceed various works of love. One who does not serve is hardly a believer. Ringing prayers devoid of action in assistance, are hypocrisy. You were not saved by good works; it is my blood that saves. But if you stoop down to the miserable, the wanderers, and serve them constantly, you will be filled with God’s joy. God’s good pleasure overshadows Christ’s servants.
Brother, do you wish to become a master and teacher? Look to Jesus. He is the teacher par excellence. He stands before you a servant. Do you want to practice his teachings? Start from today and serve. Request in prayer, where, how and whom he wishes you to serve. If you know this, blessed are you, if you do it.