Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
ruler and judge of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In the darkness of this age that is passing away
may the light of your presence which the saints enjoy
surround our steps as we journey on.
May we reflect your glory this day
and so be made ready to see your face
in the heavenly city where night shall be no more.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Luke 17.7-10
More Sayings of Jesus
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’
Reflection
Today’s reading follows straight on from yesterday’s verses from the 17th chapter of Luke’s gospel. Taken by themselves these verses can leave us feeling confused and wondering what Jesus was trying to say. As in the first six verses of Luke chapter 17, the themes upon which we should be reflecting are forgiveness, faith and obedience. The small collection of Jesus’ sayings that Luke has gathered into these few verses all point towards the same thing … the humility that must be learnt by true disciples of Christ, by true Christians. That humility needs to be rooted in our ability to forgive others, to demonstrate our faith in God by allowing him to lead us through every moment of every day, and to a degree of servitude that reflects the obedience demonstrated by Our Lord, an obedience that shows we acknowledge that we are called to a life of service and not mastery.
Too often we fail to see ourselves in the role of the servant (or ‘slave’). We demonstrate a lamentable lack of humility as we push ourselves to the front of the queue. We consider it our right to be waited upon, rather than to fulfil the role of the one waiting upon others. This lack of humility is anathema to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the one who would, as his life on earth was drawing to a close, get down upon his knees and wash the feet of his disciples.
The life of Christian service, the life to which we are all called, will never seem attractive to those who struggle with the concept of humility. For such people life is a matter of ‘balancing the books’, of tit-for-tat, of receiving just as much, if not more, than one gives. But, as we do our best to serve God, we should never fall into the trap of believing that God is indebted to us. Such an attitude ignores all that God has already done for us, all that God continues to do for us.
As we are reminded in the third chapter of John’s Gospel: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. God has already poured himself out for us, completely and unconditionally. It is now our turn to love and serve him as we forgive and obey, as we love and serve, as we strive to find that small speck of faith that will empower us to change the world to the glory of God, and to change it in humility, thankfulness and praise.
Prayers
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Let us praise Christ our King, by whose cross we have citizenship in heaven, saying: all your saints praise you.
Lord, you built your Church on the foundation of the apostles:
all your saints praise you.
You witness to your truth in the lives of your saints:
all your saints praise you.
You made us to be a kingdom and priests serving our God:
all your saints praise you.
You have shared our burdens,
revealing the holiness of our life and work:
all your saints praise you.
You stir us to seek the mysteries of the kingdom:
all your saints praise you.
You lead us to the eternal assembly of the saints:
all your saints praise you.
God of holiness,
your glory is proclaimed in every age:
as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example
with boldness and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ our King make us faithful and strong to do his will,
that we may reign with him in glory;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
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