Attitude of a Servant
http://graceandspace.org
Lk 17:7-10
[Jesus said to his disciples,] 7“Who
among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing
or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your
place at table’? 8Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare
something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat
and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? 9Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? 10So
should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded,
say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to
do.’ ”
Reflection:
Unprofitable servants.
The Gospel tells us the uncomfortable, inconvenient truth: we are but
God’s stewards, workers in God’s vineyard. Everything we have is from
God. We depend on God. Our duty is to work for God. We have no claims on
the goodness or graciousness of God. Everything is given us because of
God’s great love and not for any merits on our part. We must be grateful
and do God’s work responsibly.
We
cannot put on airs of superiority. As servants of God, we have equal
abilities with everyone else. We are given specific tasks to fulfill. To
accomplish these, God will equip us with skills and graces. Everything
depends on God, not on our talents. As servants, we are just doing what
we must do.
Yet
our God is not a taskmaster. God is our Father. As our Father, God
lightens our burdens, protects us from dangers, and wills our salvation.
Contrary to expectations, God invites us to the table in the kingdom
even as his Son Jesus waits on us and serves us.
We thank God for making us
share in the ministry of Christ.
Do we expect rewards for service in the Church?
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