The Passage: Jesus said to the 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.” Lk 17:7-10.
The Nature of Service
Do you feel challenged by these words?
The servant worked hard in the fields, plowing, and tending the Master’s sheep. He likely returns dirty, sweaty and starved. The Master also is hungry, wants to eat, and commands the servant to prepare the Master’s meal, prior to the servant tending to his own need.
The Duty of a Servant
In that culture and viewing our relationship with God – we see clearly that all we have comes from God. All our blessings, opportunities and even our ability to work, comes from Him. Serving God, as in the parable, is not extraordinary in that it deserves special praise or recompense.
In fact, as children of God, we are not only servants but family. Our duty to our Heavenly Father is to be good custodians of what we have been entrusted.
Everything we have is His and like the parable of the Talents, all is an investment in us to harvest others for Kingdom of God and thus grow our family. This is the work that produces treasure in heaven. (cf Mt 6:19-21).
The Vine
I am also reminded of John’s Gospel, wherein the Beloved Disciple states that Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. There, we are “expected” to produce fruit. If we do, the Father prunes the branches (think no pain no gain) so that we will be able to produce even more fruit, but if we do not, the Father cuts off the branch and casts it to be burned. (Jn 15: 1-6).
Love
Why do we serve God? What is our motivation?
Do we serve out of love and gratitude, the kind that seeks God and neighbor first, in a familial relationship that acknowledges service as the family business?
Should we not approach God and others without an expectation for recognition and reward, but instead as humble workers in the vineyard of the Lord?
Is not our sweat and labor also His gift, a privilege demonstrating God’s trust in us for such important work.
The Faithful Servant’s Familial Reward
Yet there is that understanding that what we do does indeed accumulate for us a certain treasure in heaven.
To that end, looking heavenward as we toil, we should yearn to hear that most desired of accolades from our Heavenly Father, “Well done, good and faithful servant” … for in our Father’s house there are many rooms, and Jesus is preparing a place for each of us. (Mt 25:21, Jn 14:2).
Dear Jerry, thank you for the insight you provided on this difficult passage. I appreciate your input. Our hope is that our duty and service will be rewarded. Amen.
Kind regards,
Sr. Olisaemeka.