We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do
13 NOVEMBER (Lk 17,7-10)
Scripture has always taught the uselessness of idols. The idol is a useless being, because in itself it is unnecessary, because it is a piece of wood or stone or cast metal. In fact, idolatry is the worship of nothing, nothingness, to which are attributed powers of omnipotence. When a man becomes idolatrous, it means that he reached the height of folly and ignorance. He is without reason, without discernment, totally blind, bereft of any intelligence, devoid of all wisdom. He has become foolish by nature.
But doomed are they, and in dead things are their hopes, who termed gods things made by human hands: Gold and silver, the product of art, and likenesses of beasts, or useless stone, the work of an ancient hand. A carpenter may saw out a suitable tree and skillfully scrape off all its bark, And deftly plying his art, produce something fit for daily use, and use up the refuse from his handiwork in preparing his food, and have his fill; Then the good-for-nothing refuse from these remnants, crooked wood grown full of knots, he takes and carves to occupy his spare time. This wood he models with listless skill, and patterns it on the image of a man or makes it resemble some worthless beast. When he has daubed it with red and crimsoned its surface with red stain, and daubed over every blemish in it, He makes a fitting shrine for it and puts it on the wall, fastening it with a nail. Thus lest it fall down he provides for it, knowing that it cannot help itself; for, truly, it is an image and needs help. But when he prays about his goods or marriage or children, he is not ashamed to address the thing without a soul. And for vigor he invokes the powerless; and for life he entreats the dead; And for aid he beseeches the wholly incompetent, and about travel, something that cannot even walk. And for profit in business and success with his hands he asks facility of a thing with hands completely inert. (Wis 13,10-29).
Jesus wants all his disciples to consider themselves as unprofitable servants. However, it is not a matter of the same uselessness of the idol. They are full of God, of Holy Spirit, truth, holiness and justice. The grace of the Lord alighted upon them with abundance. Why must they, then, proclaim themselves useless servants? They are unprofitable servants, because it is God who operates all things through them. The Holy Spirit is the driving force of their lives. It is Christ Jesus the grace and truth of all their work. It is the Virgin Mary the one that intercedes so that they can endure to the end. It is all of Heaven that intervenes and drives to the greater good.
“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'”
If it is God that works all in all, never might any one glory himself in anything. No one will ever might attribute himself what does not come from him. Here’s how St. Paul announces this mystery.
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God. I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over against another. Who confers distinction upon you? What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it? (1Cor 4,1-7).
It is God who works in him. The Lord is the source, principle, truth, holiness, grace, justice of his acting, thinking, wanting, saying and doing. If everything is God, he is just a useless tool. God can always do without him. He serves himself of him only by grace.
Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us unprofitable servants.