There is one of Jesus’ parables that I used to find troubling but now comforting.  It pops up in the Sunday liturgy once every three years and the reactions of many who hear it remind me of how troubling the parable continues to be in our modern world.

The parable, from the Gospel of Luke, goes like this: “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’?   Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink?  Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?  So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless, or useless, slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done’!”  

The reaction of fellow Christians upon sharing some thoughts concerning this parable is a certain disappointment. Especially, if we identify with the slave and think of all we do in our prayer and in our service to others, our instinct is to expect a pat on the back or an uplifting word; but the master -- in effect, God -- seems to be thoughtless and indifferent. In fact, Jesus seems to be telling us NOT to expect a reward or even a word of praise.  Rather, we are to do our duty come what may and be content with that service.   

We work hard out of our faith and for our parish community and the poor.  One would think that the least Our God could do for us would be to find a way to give us a kudo for doing something good and worthwhile.  Instead, the parable makes it sound like we perform all the drudgery of slaves and there isn’t a word of thanks.

Nonetheless, what I think Jesus wants us to understand is that there is a human need or instinct to do things precisely in order to be recognized, to be praised and to be thanked. Often, however, the right thing, just because it is right, may not be appreciated by others and then our instinct is to quit or give up the struggle.  Furthermore, we Christians are aware that all good things come from God, so even when we accomplish something we need to see the results as a grace from God for which God has used us as instruments.  Then the proper response is not to wait for a word of praise but rather to offer praise and thanks to God.

This was personally very hard for me to understand for many years until something was sparked in me by a lovely, faith-filled couple who pointed out how much they do for their children and how seldom there is a word of thanks, much less of appreciation or praise.  The wife commented that it doesn’t mean our children don’t love us!  They just take for granted what is provided for them by loving parents.  And that was when the husband stepped in and said, “And their lack of gratitude doesn’t stop us from loving them!” 

Have you ever seen on TV the story of a “hero”, one who has pulled for example a dog out of treacherous water or saved a child from a burning house?  She looks bewildered at all the attention, at being called a hero. “I was only doing what anyone would do in the situation, “she will say. The job of a parent, of anyone who has responsibilities, is to do the job whole-heartedly and completely without thought of reward.

Now, the notion of us as “worthless slaves” is upsetting but not when you realize that the worthlessness only comes when we puff ourselves up after merely doing what was right and then expecting that God or at least my children, or my husband, or my co-worker will cough up a reward.

Furthermore, Jesus did not mean the term “worthless slave” to be demeaning.   If you look at the context of this parable in the Gospel of Luke you will see that it is preceded by the apostles’ request, “Increase our faith.” And to this Jesus replies, “If your faith were the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”  Faith – our trust in God – provides an interior strength in times of trial or in times of the need where unusual effort needs to be given.  Demanding extra pay for doing what faith enabled us to do diminishes both the act and the strength of the person who has acted in faith. 

Our God loves us thoroughly and infinitely.  “The Lord delights in his people,” says Psalm 149.  Do we believe that?  Or do we, deep down, think that we have to earn God’s Love by our actions, our goodness, our faithful devotion?  That God’s love is a reward then for doing good? That attitude is, I think, the result of a profoundly human need to make ourselves worthwhile.  Indeed, to make ourselves loveable.  

Now I do not mean to do away with affirmations and praise for others.  Think for a minute of how often children grow up after going through a tough period where they wonder if they are worthwhile or lovable, but then with parental support they come out on the other side with a sense of self, of self-worth, of loving (however imperfectly) and of being loved.  There is the famous line by a son, “When I was a teenager”, he said, “my father didn’t know anything; but, boy, he sure grown wise in the last 20 years!”  

Now, that may sound like a back-handed compliment, but it is a hard-won affirmation from the son as he recognizes the care and concern of his father over many years.  And God knows, we all do need affirmation and a bit of praise.  Indeed, I encourage you to take that seriously in your relationships with family, friends, and casual acquaintances.  

Still, let us return to the parable of the quotes ‘useless servants’?  We are called to be disciples and to live a disciple’s life.  This involves a great deal of service not only to our children, but especially to the poor, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned.  We can’t look after everybody but we can do our share for the ones God puts in our path.  And sometimes it is just darn hard work caring for others, putting up with ungrateful people, stretching ourselves when we could be relaxing in front of the TV.  But if we do what is good because that is what God asks of us, then we are implementing the very prayer of the Our Father:  We are following God’s Will and building with Our God the Kingdom of Heaven where God’s Love and Care transform the lives of the poor and marginalized.

But sometimes, in the midst of doing good, or doing your best, there can sneak into your heart a little bit of resentment that “I have done all this for you God and you would think that I deserve something in return.”  In other words, rather than simply serving God and trusting in God’s providence, we find ourselves slipping into a kind of selfishness and neediness that requires some kind of praise or thanks for what we do.

And that is where we have to stop and remind ourselves that God takes care of us every single day.  Indeed, God enables us even to do the good we do!  God’s gifts each day are abundant.  But we are like the children, going our own way and then being resentful because God didn’t seem to notice how much we did for Him.

When we do good for others, when we push ourselves to put the needs of others ahead of ourselves, when we, in short, fulfill some of the demands of being disciples, we are simply doing what flows from faith. And, in faith, we have complete confidence that God overlooks nothing and that, indeed, Our God has promised us eternal life wrapped in His perfect Love if we trust in Him and walk, as best we can, in the light of His Son and by the power of His Spirit.  Exercising the gifts of faith and discipleship may be hard work but it should lead not to complaints but to a wondrous praise and gratitude to God who in fact chose us and works through us!

May the blessing of Almighty God descend upon you and remain with you always. In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.