What kind of image comes to mind when we think of someone who is serving in the church, be it a lay person, religious or clergy? Very often, we think of servants as someone giving their all in their service to the community, someone full of zeal and constantly being available. But is that really the characteristics of a good servant?

What about those who prefer to remain in the shadows? Those who go round quietly doing what needs to be done and then fade into the shadows? These are the people whom we do not see or hear. These are the traits that the Gospel speaks of today.

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming that the Lord has chosen a servant who will not brawl or shout, someone whose voice will not be heard in the streets. These are the kind of servants we should be; not to seek the limelight but to do what needs to be done in order to give glory to God and not to oneself.

The Lord favours those who seek the truth and lead others to it. This is where we should put our hope - in the truth of God and not of the world. Eventually, only the truth of the Lord will remain.