27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?
Sometimes the things Jesus says, just seem wonky. What is this about slaves? I thought we were his disciples. I thought we were his friends.
What is a slave?
A slave is someone who is owned by someone else. Someone with no freedom. Someone who has to do as they are told.
So, would a slave owner thank a slave for doing what he or she was told to do? The answer is obviously no.
So, is Jesus saying we are slaves? No.
Is he saying we should be thanked for doing what we are supposed to do? No. I think that is his point.
Not for thanks.
Does your teacher thank you for doing your math homework?
When you finish a test, does your teacher say, "Hey, I am so grateful you answered those questions."
When you arrive at school, does the principal give you a trophy for coming to school today?
That would just be weird. Those are things you are supposed to do. You don't do them to be thanked. You do them to learn and to grow.
So it is as we build the kingdom of God. We don't look to be thanked by God for learning and growing. We are grateful to God to get to share in this mission. We are grateful to be disciples; we are grateful to be Jesus' friends.