Scripture:
Wisdom 2:23-3:9
Luke 17:7-10
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel we read that no one would expect a master to ask a servant to sit at the table and serve him, rather the servant would be expected even after he has come from the field, to get the master’s dinner ready and serve the master. Moreover, the servant will not be thanked simply because he has done what was required of him. At the end of the parable and in the relationship with God, the disciples are cast in the roles of servants. They must realize that like the servant in the parable, they will also have to do all that is required of them and not expect any thanks because they have only done what was expected of them.
Last Thursday I had a beautiful experience visiting a patient at UAB hospital. I celebrated Mass at the hospital and visited several patients; then returned home. While I was having my lunch I received a call from the Pastoral Department at UAB, requesting that a priest visit a patient. I told that I would visit. As I sat in my car and drove to the hospital, I started to pray to God that whomever I was going to visit, Lord help me to be open to do His will. As I went into the patient’s room I introduced myself and told him that I was a Catholic priest from St. Mary’s Church. The patient was so happy to see me and then he told me that he was not a Catholic. He just had triple bypass heart surgery and it was a successful one. He began to share about his early life of going to Catholic Church with his friends for mass, his family and children. Then, he told me that he wanted to become a Catholic, he wants to come to the Church and do what he needs to do; though no one in his family is Catholic. I told him that I would pray with him. While we were praying I could see in him so much joy and peace. I truly believe it was a divine set up. I was able to bring Christ to him through priestly ministry. We are only servants before God and we do what He wants us to do for Him.
We are all called as servants for various ministries to a family, society, Church and country. We may do what God wants us to do in our respective ministries and may His will be done through our service. As we spend this day, let us ask ourselves, do we constantly expect thanks and praise for all the good that we do? Today, will you perform an act without any expectation whatsoever?
Fr. A. Justin Nelson, C.P. is a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Vice-Province, India, and is temporarily stationed at St. Mary’s Parish, Fairfield, Alabama.