Gospel: Luke 17:7-10
Who among you would say to your servant, coming in from the fields after plowing or tending sheep, ‘Go ahead and have your dinner’? No, you tell him, ‘Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron, and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink afterward.’ Do you thank this servant for doing what you told him to do? I don’t think so. And therefore, when you have done all that you have been told to do, you should say, ‘We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Reflection:
“We have only done our duty.”
Today’s parable discusses the nature of serving Christ. When we act with kindness or generosity, we are not to become self-important or selfcongratulatory, or expect some great reward from God, as our service of Christ demands that we show love to others. Therefore, charity is not an extra; it is fundamental to the nature of being a Christian, of being a servant of Christ. In this way, as we serve Christ in others, we are to remember humbly “we have only done our duty.” The life of Saint Martin of Tours exemplifies this humble service of Christ in others. While Martin was still a soldier and preparing for baptism, he met a beggar who was all but naked. Spontaneously, Martin cut his cloak in two to clothe the man. That night he heard Jesus speak, “Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe.” He then refused to fight for an unjust cause, saying, “I am a soldier of Christ, it is not lawful for me to fight.” Martin as monk and Bishop continued to grow in piety and mercy. In this way, Martin did his duty. May we do the same for Christ in others.
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