Daily Reflection – 11/12/19
Sacred Scripture
Jesus said to the apostles: “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'” (Luke 17:7-10)
Reflection
In today’s Gospel, we receive a reminder of humility that we so often forget. So often I find in the American culture that we rarely even think to acknowledge those who serve us, much less thank them or offer them an invitation to our table. There seems to be this innate feeling of deservedness within our culture which can taint us as Christians and keeps us from remembering that we too are servants of God, no more valuable than those we so carelessly cast aside.
God calls us all to service, not selfishness; and our attitude (or mindset) makes all the difference in this. It is our attitude that is a direct reflection of what is truly in our hearts. I think that most people today would read this Gospel and feel outraged, saying things like “that’s not fair!” I would ask, why isn’t it fair though? Isn’t it the place of the servant to wait on the master? Shouldn’t the servant first take care of their responsibilities before they are to pursue their own interests? I see this passage not as a master/servant power struggle; but rather a reminder of who’s will should go first … our will or God’s will?
We must remember our role in this life. We are not the master, we are not the kings; these are God’s place; and we are His. God blesses each of us more than we deserve, for this we should feel thankful … not entitled.
Someone once told me that those of us in wealthier nations should be envious of those living in third world poverty. She explained: “Because the poor fulfill their servitude to God in the daily sufferings that a life in poverty presents to them. It is we, the rich and privileged of the world who must deny the materialistic life that lies before us and counter-culturally live an unprofitable life for the poor.” Her point reminds us that we, too, are servants, unprofitable servants, who are obliged not only to serve God, but to serve one another.
Prayer of The Day
Lord, thank you for all that you have given to us and for all that you have given us .Lord, without you, we would not be the men and women that we are; may we always remember your sacrifice for us and may we sacrifice for you while here on earth. We pray that your will be done in our lives and that we seek nothing more than to be faithful servants of you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen
Daily Note
When I read the word ‘servant’ from Luke 17:7, I think of those who serve us every day; those who exist to us without a name or face. I think of those working in the United States at jobs most would reject only to be called ‘illegal’ and ‘alien.’ I think of Ethiopian coffee farmers growing the very product that has become so profitable around the world who cannot even feed their children. I think of these ‘servants’ and wonder why the majority of us living in the first world have so easily excluded ourselves from being servants as well.
