Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

‘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!” ’

The opening line of this Gospel has a resonance with the humour of Garry Larson’s ‘Far Side’ cartoons. It is totally upside down. Slightly absurd. The head of the household waiting on his staff. Unheard of in any society.

Whilst we may find the words put into the mouth of Jesus a little challenging and abrasive, the message is simple. You have heard the Word of God, Jesus. You have followed him as he moved around the country side. You have watched the way he encountered people in his travels. His teachings have captured you, heart and soul. Now is the time to live into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

As we grow and mature as people, hopefully so does our faith. We are not slaves to God. Rather we are invited into an mature relationship with our loving God. The invitation is freely given and we can choose to freely accept or reject it.

We are not doing God a favour, if we accept the loving invitation to deepen our relationship. We are lifting our consciousness to the presence of God in our lives. It is no more than what is expected of someone who is in love. God is in love with each of us.

St Leo the Great took extraordinary measures to work for peace in war ravished Italy whilst calling the Council of Chalcedon (in 451) which issued the famous Tome of Leo, which defined the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ as fully divine and fully human. He did only what he ought to have done!”

How am I called this day to do only what I ought to do?