'Clean-up' ministries are meaningful

July 22, 2007 -- 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What ministry have you been assigned? 2. How do you feel about doing dishes, ministries that are in the background? 3. Do you serve joyfully?

Who did the dishes? Besides the hospitality of providing food and the hospitality of listening to the story of a guest, there is the hospitality of cleaning up: washing and drying the dishes. Could it be that Jesus, the one who said He came to serve and not to be served, grabbed the dish towel and stood by the sink while Lazarus washed and He dried? I've read the Gospels carefully and there is no evidence for this conjecture, yet something tells me it may be accurate.

Did Abraham clean up after his three guests left while Sarah went off to tell her women friends some exciting new news? Since there is no record here either we remain in the land of conjecture. Logic would push us toward the conclusion that Abraham's hospitality was full-service. Not only did he welcome and feed those strangers, so Trinitarianly interesting, he also became indebted to them for the assurance that his name and his clan would live on. He probably not only did the dishes but began a more delicate ministry to his beloved Sarah. Hospitality offered returns multiplied, as is always the case with grace.

Whether or not St. Paul was domestic, we have little evidence. We do know that he was graciously welcomed by the Christian communities around the Mediterranean world. (Yes, he was often rejected by many who opposed the Christian way). The dishes St. Paul did were Eucharistic in nature. In sharing the good news of Jesus, St. Paul "cleaned up" many a mess and misunderstanding among the early Christians. Given his temperament, he could use his dishcloth to gently encourage his fellow pilgrims to lead a life more in conformity with the Lord Jesus or snap it in brisk admonition to awaken them to their sin and need of repentance. Whatever the use, St. Paul was about building up the body of Christ and doing the mission of Christ.

In the segments of a meal, as in the segments of life itself, there are aspects both noble and menial. The shopping, preparation, and cooking have a certain excitement; the serving of the entrée and desserts usually receive acclaim; but as for the clearing and cleaning, those background ministries, less appreciation is given, more is taken for granted. In the celebration of the Mass, different ministers have different functions. Regardless of the perceived importance, each is significant and meaningful. Hopefully, all the clean-up duties are honored.

Time and time again we struggle to find balance in our Christian lives: the balance between listening and serving, between contemplation and action, between worship and social justice. According to the diversity and immediacy of needs, our response should vary. Mary did her listening ministry; Martha, her serving ministry; Jesus, Abraham, Paul their ... ... The call is all the same: to serve joyfully.

Doing dishes can be fun, in fact, "fun-er" than taking out the garbage.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)