Episode 2855: Serving God and Neighbor with Joy - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
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"Serving God and Neighbor with Joy"
Welcome to today’s episode, where we’ll reflect on the joy that comes from serving God and our neighbor. True Christian service, rooted in love, brings a joy that not only uplifts our souls but also transforms the lives of those we serve. As St. Katherine Drexel, a saint whose life was devoted to both God and neighbor, so beautifully reminds us:
"If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing."
Her words resonate with the call to joyful service that we see throughout Scripture and Church tradition. Today, we’ll explore how this joy is not only a gift but also a necessity for those who wish to follow Christ.
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Segment 1: The Joy of Serving God
Let us begin with Psalm 100:2, which invites us to embrace joy in our relationship with God:
"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing."
Serving the Lord is not a burden but a privilege. When we approach our duties with joy, we reflect the love we have for God. St. Katherine Drexel exemplified this in her life by dedicating her immense fortune and energy to the education and spiritual upliftment of marginalized communities. Despite the challenges she faced, her joy never wavered because she understood that her work was an offering to God.
Joy in service does not mean the absence of hardship. It means finding peace and purpose in knowing that our work is for His glory. St. Paul echoes this in his letter to the Philippians:
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
Even amid trials, we are called to rejoice because God is with us, strengthening and guiding us.
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Segment 2: The Joy of Loving Our Neighbor
St. Katherine Drexel’s words also call us to manifest joy in how we serve our neighbors. Reflecting on the words of Christ in Matthew 22:39:
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
This love requires selflessness and humility. Joy in loving our neighbor comes from seeing Christ in others and recognizing the privilege of serving Him through them. When we open wide our hearts, as St. Katherine Drexel urges, we allow God’s grace to flow through us, transforming our acts of service into channels of His love.
Consider her admonition: "Press forward and fear nothing." These words remind us that serving others, especially in difficult circumstances, requires courage and trust in God. Fear often holds us back from doing what is right, but joy propels us forward, giving us the confidence to overcome obstacles.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches us the ultimate example of joy in service:
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)
While not all are called to physically lay down their lives, we are all called to sacrifice our time, comfort, and resources for the good of others.
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Segment 3: Joyful Service as a Reflection of Heaven
Joyful service is a foretaste of heaven. St. Katherine Drexel’s life teaches us that when we serve with joy, we align ourselves with the heavenly reality where love and self-giving are the language of eternity.
Revelation 7:15-17 gives us a glimpse of this eternal joy:
"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore… and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Our acts of joyful service here on earth are a preparation for the eternal joy of serving God in heaven. By opening our hearts and serving others with gladness, we participate in God’s plan for salvation, bringing His kingdom closer to those around us.
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Conclusion Prayer
Let us conclude with a prayer, asking for the grace to serve God and our neighbor with joy, courage, and love:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of St. Katherine Drexel, who taught us to serve You with gladness and to love our neighbors with open hearts. Help us to overcome fear and embrace the joy that comes from doing Your will. Grant us the courage to press forward, trusting in Your providence, and the grace to reflect Your love in all that we do. May our service on earth prepare us for the eternal joy of serving You in heaven. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, who served You with perfect humility, we pray for the strength to imitate her joy and devotion.
We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you for joining us tonight. May St. Katherine Drexel’s words inspire you to serve God and others with joy, and may your heart always be open to His call. God bless you!