“We are unprofitable servants. We have done what we were obliged to do.”

At first, I found this Gospel of Luke hard to swallow because it somehow twisted my image of God at the back of my head – a God that “should” be delighted with my good works.

As I read this passage repeatedly, I realized how Jesus is trying to teach me spiritual poverty. In one of Saint Peter Julian Eymard’s conferences, he said, A soul advances in its perfection only by serving God in his way of grace. It is a natural truth that every being can live only in its atmosphere and act only by its natural properties. Now, it is also a spiritual truth that a spiritual man can attain perfection only by working at it with God’s special graces in store for him. (PT 141,1 / VF)

The truth is that everything that I have, all that I possess, and all the faculties I use in serving God through serving his people come from him. All are God’s gifts and graces. Hence, God owes me nothing, and I owe everything to him. This passage also speaks to me of humility. The God I follow and serve was not satisfied with becoming man and died for me. He decided to become bread to be present amongst us. The Master served his servants first.

From time to time, it is good to ask: Am I serving God for the sake of the love of God alone and not for any reward?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, purify my intentions as I try to do what you command. May my actions please you and grant me the graces I need to continue serving you according to your will. In Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.