We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.

For the past several months, I have been imploring you to wake up to God’s call.  Many times I have redirected your attention to the readings of the day and offered you  my thoughts (or others thoughts) as to what they might mean.  Now it is my turn.  As I read the Gospel this morning, I felt a gentle slap on the face; I believe this was God’s way of telling me  – Listen to ME.

For the past couple of years I’ve been thinking and also complaining to my wife that it’s time for the youth to step up and start volunteering for the Church.  Why do we have to be the ones who show up to set up for “insert a function/activity of the Church here”.  We had a seminarian (who is now a priest) who had to record himself giving guidance to someone.  He chose me to do this and allowed me to pick the topic.  I chose to talk about  this – When is it okay to say NO to the Church?

Quite honestly, I have felt like the servant who is tending to  the sheep all day and just want to kick my feet up when I get home.  Isn’t enough that Sarah and I play for the Masses?  Isn’t it enough that we help at the penance service for 3 hours twice a year? Isn’t it enough that we sit on the liturgy committee?  Isn’t it enough that I coached soccer for all of my children (except Teresa 😦 )?  Isn’t it enough that I officiated soccer for the CYC for all those years?  Isn’t it enough that we work the fish fry drive thru?  Well, isn’t it?  Taking an old McDonald’s slogan – “Don’t I deserve a break today?”  Well, let’s just take another look at today’s Gospel reading from Luke…

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.'”

Here are some thoughts from Bishop Barron:  The point is this: God owes us precisely nothing. Everything we have, including our very existence, is a sheer gift. We are in absolutely no position ever to demand anything of God. To move into this space is to move out of the stance of faith. And so no matter what God asks, the proper response is: “I am an unprofitable servant; I have done what I was obliged to do.”

And no matter what God asks, the proper response is: “I am an unprofitable servant; I have done what I was obliged to do.”

God was talking to me today.    I can’t continue to type every morning God’s will be done and then put stipulations on His will.  Pray for me; it seems the older I get, the more weary I get; I need to strap on my big boy britches and get back to work of God.  So Mrs. Hogan, if that means setting up for coffee and donuts at 6:45 AM on the first Sunday of the Month – count me in.  Is He talking to you to?

Do something great for the Lord today – fix Him a meal and get Him his drink after your done plowing or tending the sheep in the field.  Thank goodness the Gospel didn’t mention putting slippers onto His feet – I have to draw the line somewhere…

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.