Day Six
Servant and Helper of the Hospital
Servant and Helper of the Hospital
Gerard described himself in 1101 as ‘servant (servus) of the Hospital of Holy Jerusalem’ in a document given to Pope Paschal II and the Patriarch Daimbertus;
And again, in 1110, to the Abbots of Cluny and of Moissac as ‘ servant and minister of the hospital’. ‘Servus’ means not only ‘helper’ or ‘servant’, but also ‘slave’, although we should keep in mind that even though slaves were not freemen, they were not, according to Roman Law, entirely without rights. ‘Minister’ is not a term of authority, as we might be led to think; minister, in this context, is to be understood much more as one who carries out the Lord’s will. Helper, servant, slave, assistant, executor of the Lord’s will: Who would be that today?
Gerard was and is thereby a call upon our obedience to God, to the Church, and the Superiors in our Order.
Prayer
Jesus Christ, obedient unto death, even death on a cross, strengthen and sustain us as your followers.
Lord hear our prayer.
Grant that we may recognize our responsibility for human life from its beginning.
Lord hear our prayer.
Bless all those who provide service in hospitals, homes for the aged and hospices.
Lord hear our prayer.
Help all people to serve you and their neighbour in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Lord hear our prayer.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father…
Pray for us, Blessed Gerard
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray.
Almghty and everlastingGod, who in the paschal mystery established the covenant of reconciliation with all mankind, grant that we may show forth in our lives what we solemnly profess. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Friday in the Octave of Easter)
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