Based on Luke 17:7-10
I can remember in my younger days making deals with God or at least trying to make deals with God. Looking back now it seems humorous and embarrassing. Usually I would end up promising God that I would stop something sinful if He gave me what I was asking for. So, basically, I was promising to stop doing something that I shouldn’t be doing anyway and expecting to be rewarded for it. It’s like saying, “God, I promise to stop stealing money from my job if you will just let me win the lottery.“
I also used the opposite approach. I would promise to do something that I should have been doing anyway if God would only “give in” and let me have what I wanted. It was like this, “Dear God, I promise to go to Mass every Sunday, if you will find me a new job.” Or as one of my sons might put it, “Dad, I’ll stop taking candy without asking if you will give me candy.“
Our dealings with God can often be like these examples. In today’s Gospel Jesus clears things up rather nicely although it stings the pride a bit in practice. Here He tells me that I know deep in my heart what it is that I should be doing. I know how I should be living. When I am doing all of these things I should not expect any kind of rest or reward. There is rest and reward, but that comes much later, at the very end of my service.
Today’s Gospel may sound like fingernails on a chalkboard to our modern ears. This message is directly opposed to the culture in which we have been reared. The world tells us to seek recognition for our efforts, even if it was something we were supposed to do anyway! The world tells us to shout from the rooftops, post on social media, and expect accolades for the that which is merely our duty. The quote from Our Lord, “Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.“, races to the forefront of my mind here.
Our society, with it’s twisted sense of fairness, reads this Gospel passage with arrogance and places it aside. We might hear our society say, “This must have been what it was like back then, cruel, heartless, and demanding but not so in our day. This servant should have rights too. The fair thing is for the master to serve the servant after his hard day of labor in the field.” And thus the message is lost.
The Lord is telling us that we must seek to serve and not count the cost or look for a reward. He is not placing an unrealistic demand upon us. He himself showed us what He meant by these words. “…[He] rose from supper, laid aside his garments and girded himself with a towel.” He took the form of a servant saying, “I have come not to be served but to serve.” If we are to be like Him, we must serve and not hunt for laurels. The Lord has done so much for us, how can we say anything but, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.“
The Gospel today is a great antidote to pride. By simply praying this Scripture often, I can keep the correct perspective on my place in the Kingdom, “I am an unworthy servant, I have only done what was my duty.” If I can honestly say that when I meet Our Lord, I will be doing great!
Afterthought: This Gospel passage comes directly after the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus does not tell them or us to pray more, make sacrifices, or study. Rather, His instruction to us for increasing our faith – is to serve and do so humbly.
FROM THE SAINTS – “The path of Humility takes you everywhere…but above all to Heaven.” – Saint Josemaria Escriva in Furrow # 282
James M. Hahn, Author 