Faithful Servants: Reflecting on Luke 17:7-10

Today's gospel challenges us to examine the very foundation of our relationship with God. In Luke 17:7-10, Jesus tells a parable that might initially seem harsh, but carries profound wisdom about the nature of true discipleship.

The Parable of the Servant

Jesus asks his disciples to imagine a servant who has been working hard all day in the fields, plowing and tending sheep. When the servant returns home, does the master invite him to sit down and eat first? Of course not. The servant prepares the master's meal, serves him, and only then eats his own food. And does the master thank the servant for simply doing what was expected?

Jesus concludes with words that cut to the heart of spiritual humility: "So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

A Countercultural Message

In our modern culture of recognition and reward, this teaching feels uncomfortable. We're accustomed to expecting praise for our accomplishments, acknowledgment for our efforts, and gratitude for our service. Yet Jesus invites us into a radically different perspective.

This isn't about God being ungrateful or demanding. Rather, it's about understanding the proper relationship between Creator and creation, between the infinite God and finite human beings. When we truly grasp the magnitude of God's love and what He has done for us, our response of service becomes not a burden to be rewarded, but a joyful privilege.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Humility in Service: True discipleship isn't about keeping score or seeking recognition. It's about recognizing that everything we have—our talents, opportunities, and very lives—are gifts from God. When we use these gifts in His service, we're simply returning what was already His.

Freedom from Pride: When we let go of the need for constant recognition, we find freedom. We're no longer serving to impress others or to feel important. We serve because it's who we're called to be.

Authentic Obedience: This gospel invites us to examine our motivations. Do we obey God's commandments and serve others expecting something in return? Or can we find joy in simply doing what is right because it is right?

The Example of Saint Martin

How fitting that we hear this gospel on the feast of Saint Martin of Tours. Martin was a Roman soldier who famously cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar. He didn't do it for recognition—in fact, his fellow soldiers mocked him. He later became a bishop known for his humility and tireless service to the poor. Martin embodied the spirit of today's gospel: serving faithfully without seeking earthly reward.

A Challenge for Today

As you go through this day, consider: Where am I serving with strings attached? Where am I seeking recognition rather than simply being faithful? What would it look like to embrace the freedom of being an "unprofitable servant"—one who serves not for reward, but for love?

The beautiful paradox of the gospel is that in losing ourselves, we find ourselves. In serving without expectation of reward, we discover the deepest joy. In becoming "unprofitable servants," we become most like Christ, who "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

May we have the grace today to serve faithfully, love generously, and trust completely in the goodness of the Master we serve.