Attitude of a servant

JESUS said to his Apostles: “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’? Would 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’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So 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 HE DID WHAT WAS COMMANDED. Rewards for the good we have done – this is what we normally expect. And it is something that seems justified; after all, even Jesus says, “The laborer deserves his payment” (Lk 10:7).

In the Gospel, however, Jesus invites us to see the core of what it means to be God’s “servant”: To do our task simply without expecting any recompense or thanks, as the parable of servanthood has presented. It may sound demeaning but, indeed, ultimately, we are just “unprofitable” servants, doing what we are supposed to do; we do not deserve anything from God. And yet, in truth, God gives us lavishly – infinitely more than we can ever work for and earn.

Look at your life and see how much you have undeservedly received from God.