In ancient times, noble Romans and rich Jews had properties and households managed by servants or slaves known for their fealty and industriousness. They would wait for their master’s return from a celebration or business trip, their lamps lighted to open the door when the master knocked and to lead him inside the house. They would then serve him something to eat.

To reward them, the master might raise them to a higher position in the house, or even give them money to purchase their freedom (if they were slaves).

In the parable of Vigilant and Faithful Servants, the master does the unthinkable: he reverses the roles; he takes the role of the servant vis-à-vis the slaves—he has them recline at table and proceeds to wait on them.

Now, this is precisely what Jesus does at the Last Supper which appalls the disciples: he ties a towel around his waist and begins to wash the disciples’ feet (Jn 13:4-5). He tells them that if he who is their master and teacher does this for them, they too should wash each other’s feet.

They are to serve their fellow believers as faithful servants entrusted with the task by the Lord himself. In the Kingdom of God, to humbly serve is not a debasing act; it is a meritorious one, for the Lord raises the lowly.

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.”