Daily Reflection – 11/15/2023
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
Today’s scripture is difficult for most people. Most civilized societies publicly abhor the idea of indenture or servitude. But it really is part of Christianity. Now before you stop reading, stay with me as I explain this.
As followers of Christ, we recognize and believe that God calls us all to service, not selfishness. Jesus Christ spent his entire time with us living the role of a servant. A servant who had but one goal and that was to do the will of His father who sent him. He gave his life so that He could save us.
That should be humbling to each of us. And perhaps that is the first characteristic we followers of Christ must have. Humility.
It’s humility that leads us to acknowledge and accept the belief that we only one priority in our lives and that is to honor and glorify God. It is in that honor that we have the power to live beyond ourselves. Living beyond ourselves and living to help carry the message of Jesus Christ allows us to act in love, to act in selflessness, to honor God, our Father by seeking to not only live His word but help others to live and recognize their worth as a child of God.
The Lord committed to us in a bond of unbreakable love and fidelity. The wood upon which Jesus died was more than an instrument of torture. It carried in its horror a symbol of His love for us. One that would never die. The Master died as he lived — a servant to us. His faithfulness was and is a determent of His bond with us. That faithfulness should mark our earthly existence.
The humbleness of our Servant and Lord, the faithfulness of our Servant and Lord, the total love of our Servant and Lord should bring us hope – hope that keeps us moving closer to Him regardless of a world that, at times, seems to be moving farther from Him.
But we do have hope and that, along with our humility and faithfulness should mark our lives as Christians. They are the very messages we should be bringing to all those who touch our daily life. We live by His word, and we live His word. A servant has but one master. That is Jesus Christ. Everything action we take, every word from our mouths. should be in emulation of Him.
It is truly about deeds, not creeds.
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 committed toot only to serve God, but to serve one another.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, you are faithful even when I fail. Help me to remain ever faithful to you and to not shrink back when I encounter difficulties. May always live in your presence and be ready to meet you when you call me on the day of judgment.”
Daily Note
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.
