Today's Readings
Tuesday of the thirty second week in ordinary time
Titus 2:1-8, 11-14
Ps 37:3-4,18,23,27,29
Luke 17:7-10
In the first part of Luke’s parable (17:7) the disciples are placed in the role of the master. Jesus questions by asking, “Will any of you who has a servant…”. None would expect that their master would ask a servant to sit at table and serve him.
The servant would be expected, when he returned from the field, to serve his master and get the meal ready. The servant will not be thanked, as he has simply done what was required of him. In the latter part of the parable, the disciples are placed in the role of servants. They must realize that they will have to do all that is required of them and not expect any thanks in return. They have only done what was expected of them.
Jesus told about a servant who, after working in the field all day, was not allowed to eat until he had prepared a meal for his master. He had to stand by until the man had finished eating. Jesus added that the master did not owe his servant even a thank you! (Luke 17:9-10). How could Jesus, who lived among us as “the One who serves” (22:27), seem so heartless?
The context provides the answer to this question. Jesus had just told His disciples that they were to be so mindful of others that they would never cause anyone to sin (vv.1-2). They were also to correct wrongdoers and never stop forgiving those who repent (vv.3-4).
The apostles, realizing that they could never live up to these expectations in their own strength, said, “Increase our faith” (v.5). Jesus promised that if they had a small grain of faith they would be able to remove whatever stood in the way of their obedience to these commands (v.6). He then told a parable to show them the need to fulfill these obligations cheerfully out of love rather than grudgingly or with an eye on being rewarded (vv.7-10).
We are to humbly depend on the Lord and obey Him because our hearts are full of love and gratitude. Anything less is unworthy of even a thank you.
We must try to avoid self-justifying postures like the Pharisees who posed as defenders of God’s word and yet did not fulfil the basic demands of their faith. Many of us may still wait to be thanked and praised for what we have done. If we see ourselves as God’s servants, we will realize that we have tasks to do, a vocation to live, a mission to fulfil, given to us by a loving God. If we are open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, he causes our attitude to change and become more Christ-like.
Let us pause for a moment today, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us become aware of God’s goodness to us, so that we can share this experience with others as our response of gratitude to him.
The first reading reminds us that we should have no ambition except to do good. As children of God and disciples of his son, we are expected to go about doing good like Christ. We do things led by the Holy Spirit without expecting anything in return. If we strive to be faithful in our service without expectation, God will be bountiful in his generosity beyond imagination.
Lord, I know that I have been deficient in my service for You. Give me the strength and the humility to serve beyond what You have called to do. Fill my heart with love, gratitude and generosity. Make me a faithful and zealous servant for you. May I generously pour out my life in loving service for you and for others, just as you have so generously poured yourself out for me. "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my saviour, for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Magnificat). Jesus, I trust in You.
Today by God's grace, adopt the humble attitude of the “unprofitable servant” from the parable, or the “lowly servant” in Mary’s Magnificat during a charitable task or chore at work or at home. The Lord be with you.