I can see the servant in the gospel wiping his brow, walking up the steps into his master’s house. All he wants to do is put his feet up, at least for a few minutes. But all he hears is his master’s command, “Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.”
We all know this experience well. We have our plans, and the phone rings, or we bump into somebody, and sometime later, we can eat our supper or put our feet up. Moments like these can be frustrating.
So what to do about them? We must be careful not to see such moments through the eyes of the world, or we will be unprofitable servants using Jesus’ terms. That might not be all bad.
Did you know that the Greek translation for the term “unprofitable” in this context means that Jesus’ disciples are “without need”? How free to go through our days, knowing God is accomplishing his plan for us perfectly. What a joy to know that in every circumstance, he places us, and with every person we encounter, he will provide for every need.
There is a deep joy in serving the Lord on his terms. Our plans aren’t that important. We can welcome all those interruptions as invitations for Jesus to minister to someone who needs Him, even if they don’t know it. Unprofitable? Not when we do what we are obliged to do – please the Lord.
Gospel Challenge: We all have common interruptions. Think of one that keeps coming up. In a moment with the Lord, intend to oblige yourself to serve Him in that inconvenience. Offer it as a prayer for someone who is in need. Remember what “unprofitable” means in Greek.
June 23, 2025, Matthew 7:1-5 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062325.cfm Judging is Like Little Splinters. I remember our DRE and music director, Fred, telling me he picked up something
June 22, 2025, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm Food for the Journey It blows my mind to think that God the Father loves us so much
June 21, 2025, Matthew 6:24-34 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062125.cfm Out With Worry – In With Trust. The only moment we can be with God is the present moment.
June 21, 2024, Matthew 6:19-23 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062025.cfm My Eye and My Treasure When I line up a shot to hit a golf ball, I pick out
Tuesday 32nd Week in Ordinary Time November 14, 2023
Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Tuesday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time,
November 14, 2022, Luke 17:7-10
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111423.cfm
Serving when we don’t plan it.
I can see the servant in the gospel wiping his brow, walking up the steps into his master’s house. All he wants to do is put his feet up, at least for a few minutes. But all he hears is his master’s command, “Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.”
We all know this experience well. We have our plans, and the phone rings, or we bump into somebody, and sometime later, we can eat our supper or put our feet up. Moments like these can be frustrating.
So what to do about them? We must be careful not to see such moments through the eyes of the world, or we will be unprofitable servants using Jesus’ terms. That might not be all bad.
Did you know that the Greek translation for the term “unprofitable” in this context means that Jesus’ disciples are “without need”? How free to go through our days, knowing God is accomplishing his plan for us perfectly. What a joy to know that in every circumstance, he places us, and with every person we encounter, he will provide for every need.
There is a deep joy in serving the Lord on his terms. Our plans aren’t that important. We can welcome all those interruptions as invitations for Jesus to minister to someone who needs Him, even if they don’t know it. Unprofitable? Not when we do what we are obliged to do – please the Lord.
Gospel Challenge:
We all have common interruptions. Think of one that keeps coming up. In a moment with the Lord, intend to oblige yourself to serve Him in that inconvenience. Offer it as a prayer for someone who is in need. Remember what “unprofitable” means in Greek.
IGNITE THE FIRE.
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
www.bscchurch.com
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