27th Ordinary Sunday – 2nd October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 17,5-10
Faith and Rewardless Service
Jesus’ teachings invite his apostles to reflect on faith and service. Faith like God is omnipotent. It can make what is impossible possible or expand the limits. Planting a tree in the sea is paradoxical as a camel going through the eye of a needle. Both ‘graphically and hyperbolically’ illustrate that even a little faith can do amazing feats. The mulberry tree had very deep roots and a legendary life-span of 600 years. Hence to pull it out would be impossible. Jesus responds to the disciples request saying that the little faith they have is enough to work outstanding miracles, if only they exploit its possibilities to the full. To take the risk of faith seriously is to clothe oneself with the power of God.
Jesus uses master/slave analogy (Lk 12,35-40.42-48; 13,25-27; 14,16-24; 16,1-13) to illustrate about the disciple’s duties. He is not condoning slavery but simply assuming the social system of his world. The scenario is that of a master who owns one slave, who is responsible for both agricultural (plowing, shepherding) and domestic (preparing meals) duties. Through plowing and sowing the apostle is called to preach the Gospel and through shepherding he is called to lead the flock of believers. At first, Jesus begins to place his hearers in the position of the master who has no obligation to thank the slave for what he is supposed to do. For a slave did not belong to himself. He was considered the property of the master. Therefore the master demanded his slave to carry out his duties.
Immediately Jesus turns upside down, He places the audience in the role of the servant. The slave, because of his service, should not think that his master is indebted to him. Likewise the apostle should serve without pretensions of a reward. He must not think that God is indebted to him for his service. Jesus reminds us that we are useless servants. When we give everything we have, we give nothing, because we are only giving him back what God himself had given to us. We are never indebted to God. Our attitude should be one of service. To serve others in God’s name is a privilege; it requires no further reward. On God’s part, He does not treat us as slaves, but as children and friends. And indeed he promises that one day the roles will be changed and we shall reign with him in the kingdom (Lk 12,37).
