When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
“We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.” (Lk 17:10)
Jesus had much to say about being a servant. One of the most difficult parts of His lesson on servitude is that we should do it generously, gladly, and without regard for reward. After all, if we are looking for reward, that is not true servitude.
The heralds of the Gospel — whom we are — are called by the Lord to labor for the benefit of all people. We are to keep the best interests of others in mind. We are to look out for the needs of others. We are to advance the cause of others. We are to do all of that because the “other” is important to us, since the “other” is brother or sister in the Lord.
That is why the early disciples could so easily endure hardship. They knew that their sacrifice would be for the benefit of the other Christians. Their pain, suffering, and patient endurance inspired the early Christians to live the faith to the fullest.
We should be ready to give our all at all times. We should do so cheerfully and generously. If we are rewarded for our efforts, that would be an un-looked for “bonus”. If we are not rewarded, that should not stop us from living our lives as faithfully as possible.
Today is Veterans Day. Our veterans certainly fit today’s reflection. Our veterans stepped up and offered their service so that we could be free. Our veterans knew that their service would be difficult. They knew that their service could be dangerous. They knew that they may not have returned home, being forced to lay down their lives.
Yet they served — not for reward — to give us the chance to be free and remain free. Generously, gladly, and without regard for reward, our veterans served their country.
Generously, gladly, and without regard for reward, the disciples served the early Church.
Generously, gladly, and without regard for reward, we are called to service this day.
FAITH ACTION: Pray in gratitude for all our veterans who did what they could do to keep us free. For all veterans who came home wounded in mind, body, or spirit, pray for a special healing for them.