Talk about serving

This theme has been running through a lot of news stories lately like a thread, and it’s been on my mind. It’s the concept of service.

All through the more than weeklong ceremonies for former President Gerald Ford, the news commentaries reflected on his service in the Eagle Scouts, the Navy, Congress and finally the White House. Leaders serve, and the best ones never lose awareness of that privilege and responsibility.

Some come to it with lots of noise and boisterous celebrations of coming into power, as we’ve seen this week. It’s good to hear the Congress called “the people’s house,” because it is, but the “People’s Open House” for Speaker Pelosi was by invitation only, so….there you are. Or aren’t. 

It seems to me, watching all this, that the best leaders do more and talk less.

Which brings up the military service. I’ve made the point many times here that our service men and women tend to be humble heroes. When you thank them for their service to the country, they thank you for saying that, but add ‘just doing my duty.’ I put up the post below “For those in peril” to honor them and give us a chance to pray for them with the beautiful words of “Eternal Father.”

Which brings up the priestly ‘fathers’ who serve so selflessly and often thanklessly in their lifelong vocation to the Church and the people of God. They’re just doing their duty too, and it also requires virtually always being ‘on’ or on call, there for life’s greatest moments and darkest, always serving the needs of the people. That’s why I liked this story.

Priests need prayers.

That’s why the Serra Club of Lafayette launched a new endeavor this month: a Prayer Calendar for Priests.

That’s so simple, I wonder why it’s not everywhere.

“Priests have a monumental responsibility of fidelity, self-sacrifice and service as spiritual fathers to us in the pew,” said Margaret Rucks, Serra Club board trustee and former president. “We hope these prayers will uplift them, strengthen them and give them the grace to do what they are called to do.”

That’s service passed on, with many returns.