Principes Day 19 – True service

Day 19 – The Third Way of Service: Work

Jesus took on himself the form of a servant. He came not to be served but to serve. He went about doing good, healing the sick, preaching good news to the poor and binding up the brokenhearted.

After school, the church hall fills. Nan sits
and deals the Uno cards. A curious boy
waits to join in; Nan happily admits
him to the ranks. Each biscuit, book and toy
around the noisy hall's a token which can teach
that childhood can be safe, and love is real.
For us who dole out sandwiches, who catch
the stumbling tots, who listen, chat and deal
the Uno cards, to serve is joy on joy.

Now Pop-up Café’s furloughed, and we yearn
for covid night to end, for freedom’s day.
But haltingly, in lucid dark we learn
true service from each van and ward and shop
where daily heroes keep alive our hope.