We have done no more than our duties

Tit. 2:1-8.11-14, Lk. 17:7-10. Today's first reading shows careful respect for the social values of the local culture and reminds us to set everything within the context of Divine grace. The teaching of religious leaders must be “consistent with sound doctrine” and the core of this sound doctrine concerns the “glory of our God and Saviour Christ Jesus.” What we do in this life will determine our place at His glorious second coming. However, today's Gospel take for granted social and cultural structures that are unacceptable in the contemporary time. In a parable, Jesus mentions what a master would expect from the servant. For work well done the master need not be grateful, since the servant was only carrying out orders.

Those who performed their duties accordingly should not expect to be thanked for doing so. Something similar applies in our relationship with God. Even thouth we are called to serve God in our lives and our worship, the grace of God remains a free gift and not something that we have strictly earned or merited. We do our duty as best as we can and after doing all He asks of us we come before God and return everything to God. It is our poverty before God that opens us up to receive Divine mercy, just like by becoming like little children that we enter the Kingdom of God. In the words of the Magnificat, God feeds the hungry with good things, but the rich He sends empty away.

May the Lord help us to remain focus in our quest to service God with all our strength! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!