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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

He will gird himself... and proceed to wait on them

Opinion

He will gird himself... and proceed to wait on them

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

In the social structure of Jesus’ time, the slave or servant cannot hope to be on equal footing with his master. Jesus himself describes how a servant, after plowing the field or tending the sheep, is expected to prepare and serve his master’s meal.

The master is not grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded (Lk 17:7-10). The same holds true of the servant of God. From this perspective, doing God’s will is but his duty and does not give him any right to make demands on God.

However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the rewards that await the faithful and vigilant servants. God’s love for his servants is beyond measure and the rewards he will bestow on them far exceed anyone’s expectations.

Jesus speaks of the master exchanging roles with the servants. The servants are the ones reclining at table while the master waits on them. This is unbelievable! But this is done by Jesus himself.

He who is Teacher and Lord washes his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper (Jn 13:5). Then, in his love for them, he no longer calls them servants but friends (Jn 15:15).

Gospel • Luke 12:35-38
Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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REFLECTIONS 365 Days with the Lord

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