“Seeking for the grace of growing in the Service of the Lord!”

(Based on Wis 2:23-3:9 and Lk 17:7-10- Tuesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The Pope is the Head of the Universal Church.

He is recognized by many titles…
… Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church etc.

Another prominent title among these is: the Servant of the servants of God.

Servanthood is an important dimension in being a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation and reminder to this great aspect of our Christian Lives: Being a Servant.

The Lord narrates the Parable of the Unprofitable Servant.

In this parable, Jesus tells about a servant who works all day long out in the field, or out taking care of the flock.

And after he works all day long, he comes into the house…

Is he expected to sit down and rest and eat his own meal?
No!
Rather, he is required to serve his master by providing him the meal first.

And after doing all that work – all day long – there’s no word of thanks, no gratitude.

Jesus closes out this parable by saying that the servant was unprofitable because he only did what he was told to do.

Is it something practical?

Is it something easy?

Our modern-day psychology would speak of the concept of a “positive stroke” that is to be given to those working or those who undertake some labour.

It’s important that the employers in a company are given a “positive stroke” by appreciating their good works…
It’s important that the servants in a house are given a “positive stroke” by encouraging with good words and a cheerful countenance…
It’s important that the workers in a firm or factory are given a “positive stroke” by acknowledging their worth and constantly boosting their confidence level…

And of course, it rightly is needed and important!

We are called to be encouraging and appreciative with all those with whom we work and serve…
… even those “functionally” lower than us.

However, when it comes to “our duty as a Christian”….
… the Gospel of the Day demands much more from a Servant…

A servant who works whole day long ploughing in the field or tending the sheep…
A servant who delays his needs and instead prepares and serves meals for his master…
A servant, who after all his works, doesn’t expect words of gratitude…

The Parable is surely a tough one!

But, the One who preached this Parable is not a mere preacher, but is a practitioner!

Jesus, the one who preached this Parable, practised perfectly, this life of being a servant.

He is the Servant, who works in the field ploughing…
… sowing the seed of the Word of God, ploughing the Gospel in the hearts of people and toiling in the hot sun of oppositions and mockery

He is the Servant, who tends the sheep in the field…
… providing pasture for His people, protecting them from the wolves of the evil and going after any of the sheep which are lost in the wilderness

He is the Servant, who prepares a meal and serves at table…
… nourishing those at table with His own body, strengthening them with His own blood and constantly reinforcing in the journey of life

How are we to be such a Servant of the Lord?

1. Having a mind of being a Servant of God:
   The world of a servant centers not around himself, but around the Master.

Whatever pleases the Master, the servant does.

If we truly acknowledge God as our Master, then we too…
… will do the works which please Him
… will think and seek to do His Will
… will speak the words which are worthy of His grace

2. Being Faithful in this task of being His servant
   The world of a servant centers around total availability and openness to the needs of the Master.

If we truly accept God as our Master, then we too…
… will give ourselves to Him totally at all times
… will place His priorities over ours
… will avoid anything that blocks my complete service of Him

The Call is to be a Servant… who is dedicated and selfless.

Jesus is our model and example in being a Servant.
It’s a demand placed on us.

Servanthood is an important dimension in being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Let us seek for this grace of growing in the Service of the Lord.

Today we seek the intercession of St. Martin of Tours, once a Roman soldier…
… who laid down his sword to follow Christ, became a beacon of mercy and faith.

May his life of compassion inspire us to seek the grace to grow each day…
… in loving and faithful service of the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery – Male and Female He created them

All the baptized are called to chastity.
The Christian has “put on Christ,” the model for all chastity.
All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life.

At the moment of his Baptism, the Christian is pledged to lead his affective life in chastity. (CCC # 2348)