Posted by The WORD in other words (2021) by Fr Pablito Tagura SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Tuesday 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Image source : Wikimedia commons
In today’s gospel, Luke tries to relate the “servant” parable of Jesus to service in the community. Servant-leaders should be faithful and not create internal problems for the Church.
The Greek term “doulos” (servant/slave) in Lk. 12: 37, 43, 45, 46, 47) is understood as one who serves the Christian community (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 7: 22; Gal. 1: 10, Acts 4: 29).
Whereas, the term “oikonomos” (steward/manager) in Luke 12: 42; 16: 1,3,8, is someone who primarily serves others (1 Cor. 4: 1-2; Titus 1: 7, 1 Peter 4: 10).
Luke presents Jesus as Servant: “I am in your midst as the one who serves you (Luke 22: 26-27), and “anyone who wishes to rank first must remain the last and the servant of all” (Mark 9: 35).
How do we serve then?
Jesus took a little child and said: “Whoever welcomes a child such as this for my sake welcomes me. . .” (Mk. 9: 37). During Jesus’ time, children had no legal rights and status; they were “second class citizens” like orphans and old widows. They could not provide and take care of themselves. Thus, they were totally dependent on others and deserved utmost care and service.
We should see Jesus in children (Mt. 25: 40): “As often as you did it for one of my least brothers (sisters), you did it for me.” Our helping them will be Christ-like if we expect nothing in return. The image of a child, taken symbolically, could be the elderly, the sick, beggars, those with disabilities, the lost and marginalized.
Finally, those servants who serve faithfully until the end will have a great surprise from Jesus himself: “In my Kingdom, you will eat and drink at my table…” (Luke 22: 28 – 30).
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