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By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
THE Gospel in Luke 17:7-10 may sound surprising at first. Jesus tells of a servant who works in the field all day and, after returning home, continues serving his master before eating. He concludes, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” Rather than discouraging us, these words reveal the beauty of true humility before God.
Our world often teaches us to seek recognition for every good thing we do. While appreciation is valuable, Jesus reminds us that our relationship with God is never a business deal. We cannot place Him in our debt, because everything we have—including our ability to love and serve—is already His gift.
This changes how we view our daily responsibilities. Whether we are parents, workers, students, priests, or religious, our ordinary duties become opportunities to respond to God's love. Carrying them out faithfully is not merely fulfilling an obligation but expressing gratitude for all that He has given us.
Holiness is usually found not in extraordinary achievements but in ordinary tasks done with extraordinary love. A patient reply, careful work, a hidden sacrifice, or a prayer whispered during a busy day may seem small. Yet these simple acts become precious when they are offered to God with a sincere heart.
The Gospel also warns us against spiritual pride. We may begin to think that because we pray, serve in the parish, or help others, we deserve special recognition or greater blessings. We may even compare ourselves with others. Jesus gently reminds us that every good thing we accomplish is first the work of God's grace within us.
Without His help, we can do very little. Every act of charity, every victory over temptation, and every step toward holiness begins with His initiative. Our cooperation matters, but grace always comes first. Recognizing this truth keeps us humble while encouraging us to trust God even more.
Calling ourselves "unprofitable servants" does not mean that we are worthless. On the contrary, our value is beyond measure because God loves us infinitely. He created us in His image and redeemed us through Christ. Our dignity comes from being His beloved children, not from our accomplishments or successes.
This is why we serve Him with joy instead of fear. We are not trying to earn His love but responding to a love already given. Gratitude becomes the driving force of Christian living. The more we recognize God's generosity, the more willing we become to give ourselves in return.
Such humility also brings freedom and peace. When we stop depending on applause or constant affirmation, we can work quietly and faithfully, even when no one notices. Hidden acts of love never escape God's attention. He sees every sacrifice, every silent struggle, and every duty carried out for His sake.
This perspective transforms our daily lives. Our work, family responsibilities, friendships, and service to others become opportunities to glorify God. We stop measuring our efforts by human standards and instead ask only whether we have loved Him faithfully in the circumstances He has given us.
The Gospel invites us to examine our motivation. Do we serve only when it is convenient or appreciated? Or do we remain faithful simply because God deserves our love? A genuine servant does not keep score. Serving the Lord is itself a privilege, since everything we are and possess already belongs to Him.
When we embrace this humble spirit, our lives become lighter and more joyful. We discover that holiness is not about seeking greatness but about loving faithfully in ordinary things. Then, with grateful hearts, we can truly say that we have simply done our duty, while knowing that every grace and every reward come from God's endless mercy and love.
