The Workings of God

Ruth Pfau, a medical missionary who spent more than 50 years in Pakistan ministering to persons who had leprosy and were injured by land mines, knew a thing or two about service to others. She offered the following perspective: “Leading a life committed to service does protect the soul from wounds. These are the workings of God.”

How does leading a life committed to service protect the soul from wounds? I suspect it has to do with the ways that serving others protects us from pride and instills us with humility and gratitude. When we put the needs of others above our own desires, we come to understand that we are not the center of the universe. We realize that others often are carrying burdens much greater than our own, and we become more cognizant of and thankful for our blessings. Jesus understood these benefits, which is one reason why he spent much of his life serving others and told us to do the same.

St. Benedict also grasped the importance of service in the spiritual life. In chapter 35 of his Rule, “Kitchen Servers of the Week,” he says, “The brothers should serve one another. Consequently, no one will be excused from kitchen service unless he is sick or engaged in some important business of the monastery, for such service increases reward and fosters love.” In Chapter 36, “The Sick Brothers,” he stipulates, “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so they may truly be served as Christ.”

Although service of others may entail a dramatic life change, such as joining the Peace Corps or studying to become a nurse, most often it means “doing little things with great love,” as Mother Teresa counseled. The acts of cleaning the kitchen, making sure the household doesn’t run out of toilet paper, and providing soup to a sick family member or friend aren’t earth shattering, but they make life more congenial and help others understand that they are loved and cared for, while strengthening our own soul. Thus when we engage in these simple acts, we are participating in the workings of God, which can only lead to a life of goodness and kindness for ourselves as well as others.