January 30 – Everybody’s Gotta Serve Somebody!

Yesterday we asked, as both servants and kings in Cor Unum, which should we feed? Before the year is up, we will read about a real “royal” who eats and lives like a servant. For now, though, let’s consider our own dual purpose on the earth.


As truly as we are called to be “kings and priests unto God,” the most noble among us have made themselves “bondservants” to Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:6 and 5:10, and Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10, Titus 1:1, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, and Jude 1:1.) Perhaps the easiest way to understand this dichotomy is to remember that, “Everybody’s got to serve somebody,” and for us, royal priesthood that we have become, we serve the Most High God. He is our joy and our crown.


The nuns in Regina Laudis Abbey understand this. As a matter of fact, this is a thread that runs strong and true through the fabric of every order: “We are the daughters of the King, and we have every royal privilege . . . and thus, we are here.”


It makes sense. When Elizabeth Alexandra Mary’s grandfather died, and her uncle abdicated, and her father succumbed to cancer, she was Queen. In an instant, she became what she had been born to be. No one else could take her place as long as she lived and accepted both the position and the responsibility of her high calling.


So, we too have position and responsibility in Cor Unum. Monastics all over the world consider themselves to be men and women of very high rank, for they serve the King of kings. They serve Him and answer directly to Him, and as His own sons and daughters, not as hired servants.


This is our daily bread, for we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We have been raised and seated with Christ (Colossians 3:1-3,) and we have place and privilege upon that throne, the place of sonship and the privilege of worship and petition. What would we think of a nurse who would not change a bandage or a professor who would not prepare a lesson or a Marine who would not fight in the heat of battle?


So, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, let us do all to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ, and for the sake of the kingdom in which we reign with Him, for we obey His Father just as He did. We worship, we pray, we announce the good news, we bind up the broken hearted . . . when our obedience is ripe, we may see eyes opened, too. At least the eyes of men’s spirits may see, and live, because we live and reign and eat and drink as kings on earth and here in Cor Unum.



"I Just Can't Wait to be Queen!"
Abbatial Photo