16 June, Monday — The Servant’s Blend

Monday of Week 11 in Ordinary Time

2 Cor 6:1-10
Mt 5:38-42

“taken…for people having nothing though we have everything”

Brothers and sisters, when Paul describes what it means to be a servant of God in 2 Corinthians 6:1–10, it is not the glamorous picture some might expect. He lists hardships, misunderstandings, sleepless nights, and even being “taken for people having nothing, though we have everything.” It is not about prestige or recognition; it is about what is formed in us through the quiet, hidden work of grace.

That idea hit home during my recent visit to the cellars of Moët & Chandon in Épernay, France. Beneath the surface, in cool, silent tunnels, champagne is slowly maturing. From the outside, you would never guess how much care, precision, and waiting go into each bottle. This famed house follows strict standards — only grapes handpicked from designated vineyards in the Champagne region, only a precise blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier, and only bottles aged for at least two to three years can carry the label. And behind that elegant drink is a deceptively simple presentation that hides an incredibly complex and labour-intensive process. Each year’s harvest is different. Each grape variety brings its own personality. Creating something consistent and excellent takes wisdom, patience, and years of quiet work.

That is exactly how it is with us as God’s servants. The label of being Catholic may appear straightforward, but what gives it meaning is what is been formed beneath the surface. It is not the name alone that proves we are servants of God; it is how we live when no one is watching. It is the purity we hold when compromise whispers. The patience we show when life stretches thin. The kindness we offer in the face of harshness. These traits are not flashy but they are what make us ‘cellar-worthy’ – people whose faith has been pressed, blended, and matured by the Spirit over time.

The question for us to ponder is this: ‘What is being formed in our cellar? What kind of person are we becoming when no one is watching?’ Being God’s servants is not just about being known outwardly as a Catholic – it is about the quiet blend of faith, love, and grace that shapes how we live each day. The making of a servant of God, much like the aging of champagne, is a quiet process — deep, gradual, and often unnoticed. Let us remember that God’s servants are not just known by their words or their labels; they are known by the quiet, consistent blend of faith, love, and grace in their lives. That is what makes us truly worthy of the name.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Stacey Fernandez)

Prayer: Lord, help me to live with the kind of character that truly reflects You. When life gets hard, keep refining what’s inside me. Teach me to respond with love, patience, and grace.

Thanksgiving: Thank You God, for not just calling me Your servant, but for shaping me into one. Thank You for every quiet moment You use to build something good in me. Amen.