THE WORD
Tit 2,1-8.11-14 / Lk 17,7-10
Jesus said to his disciples, “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.’”
IN OTHER WORDS
Business connotes profits. Its logic is not applicable to our relationship with God. When we do things well for God and for others, we should not expect anything in return: “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.” Preface IV for Masses on Weekdays perfectly puts it, “You have no need of our praise, yet our desire to thank you is itself your gift. Our prayer of thanksgiving adds nothing to your greatness, but makes us grow in your grace.” In a word, the Lord can never be indebted or under any obligation to us. Thus, from the lens of today’s gospel, to relate with God is to connect with Him in gratitude and the realization that we have received more than we deserve. Our God is generous, with unlimited blessings continuously showered upon us – such as quality education, as one alumnus of Divine Word College once acknowledged.
Relating with God is not regulated by what we do and think deserve His recompense. Faith in the Lord is not about doing good things and expecting something in return from Him. It is not limited to praying - pilgrimages, novenas, indulgences - dictating on Him what we want to happen for our personal interest and upliftment. True faith is about giving unconditionally of ourselves, our services and all we have to God. It is even just giving back to him a small piece of what he has already given us. Are we grateful to the Lord? Do we relate with Him realizing He has saved us inspite of our weaknesses?
- Fr. Roberto Ibay, SVD | DWC Vigan
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
