We are unprofitable servants

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 32nd Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 17:7-10*

*First Reading : Wis 2:23:3:9*

*We are unprofitable servants*

*1) Servant With Duty*

The Gospel speaks about the Servant and the duty

The servant does his duty. In return the Master does not show any gratefulness, because both Master and the servant know that it is the part of ones duty 

There is nothing special in it. So the Master need not show any gratefulness to servant and servant should not expect any gratefulness from the master

*2) The concept of unprofitability*

This concept tells us that every work is as a service

Jesus says that every labourer deserves his/her wage 

Wage and profit are two different things 

Here the servant is paid with the wage. But his work is not profit making business 

It is a service oriented work. 

*3) God's work and  Profit making Business*

These two works do not go together. They belong to different realms

That's how the concept of unprofitability comes in 

God's work is done not for the profit but as a service

So with God's work one should not expect any profit. 

Unprofitability is the hallmark of God's work 

*4) The great challenge  of unprofitability*

The world runs after profit and profitable business

People hardly think about unprofitable business or Service oriented work 

So the influence of profitable business also seen in God's work 

So there is a real challenge to make God's work as service without making it as a profitable business

*5) Unprofitable Servant*

A follower of Jesus is purely a unprofitable servant 

First of all, it tells us that not to make God's work as profitable business

Secondly, the followers of Jesus should have service motives in every work and not the profit 

The acceptance of the concept of unprofitability, helps the followers of Jesus to serve better, and to become witnesses of Jesus in an effective way. 

Am I convinced that, I am a unprofitable servant of Jesus?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*