Gospel  LK 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles:
“Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him,
‘Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished’?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
Reflection:
Growing up with four sisters and three brothers in a single parent family, my mother worked and received public assistance to pay the rent and put food on the table.
Each of us kids were assigned chores that we were expected to perform.
My sister Trish’s job was to do the dishes after supper. Cliff was expected to keep the kerosene jug filled. Being the youngest, I was responsible for emptying the household trash and put the barrels out for pickup.
My older brothers kept the walks and driveway cleared of snow in the winter and the grass mowed in the summer. My older sisters did laundry and kept the house clean.
Once we became old enough to work, we were expected to get a job and contribute to the expenses of running our home.
My mother did not insist we perform our tasks as punishment, but to teach us how to live responsibly, to prepare us for the rigors of surviving in the world.
We did not expect to be thanked for doing our jobs.
In today’s gospel Jesus asks:
“Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
Should God be “grateful” to us for following His commandments? His commandments were given to us, His children, as a loving Father’s guidelines to living a full and happy life.
“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”         – –  Unknown