Tuesday of week 32 – Titus 2:1-8,11-14 ;Ps 36:3-4,18,23,27,29; Luke 17:7-10

We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty. (Luke 17:10)

In the Palestinian reality, a servant, a slave, first did hard work in the field, then served his master, and only at the end had a moment of respite for himself. Jesus gave an example of such service during the Last Supper, when he began to wash the feet of his disciples. “Service characterises all stages of Jesus’ existence: his earthly life, his presence in the community of believers after the resurrection, his existence in glory, his return in the parousia” (Msgr Bruno Maggioni). This is a kind of witness of the Master and a model of conduct for His disciples.

Mere servants are aware that what they do and can do is grace, that is, a free gift coming from the One without whom we can do nothing. However, with Him we can do everything. Humility points to God being in first place, and if He is first, then everything is in its right place. Humility is therefore the golden mean between pride and false humility, which depreciates one’s own value and dignity.

A true servant is useless in his selfless generosity and doesn’t complain that no one says “thank you” to him. This is to make us aware that we live in a world that is God’s property and to protect us from the illusion that we are gods, and therefore the world must satisfy only our needs.

Lord Jesus, You yourself have given the example of being a servant to all: starting with washing the feet of Your disciples and ending with washing all souls in the blood of Your passion. Teach me to serve You and the brothers and sisters. Amen.