Jesus’ closing line (above) in today’s excerpt from Luke (17:7-10) is explained to the Apostles through the use of a parable.  Jesus asks them to put themselves in the place of a master whose servant has done precisely his duties.  This servant has no right to be thanked and does not get special treatment at dinner time, but rather must wait on the master, as is his job, until the master is finished eating.  So they are to have the same attitude in their work for the Lord.  And so are we.  This was an important lesson in humility for Jesus’ followers then as it has been throughout the ages.  God has a plan for each person.  We are obligated to come to know His will in our lives and follow it as closely as possible, continuously asking for enlightenment on the path and grace to do the good.  Since all we have comes from God and since He has commnaded us to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48) how can we possibly exalt ourselves?  All we have to do is recall Paul’s words: “[A]ll have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23) to recognize our status.  But we are obliged to do that which the Lord has set aside for us to do and we must never be discouraged in doing so but rather we must embrace our role with great joy.  May we always strive to know and fulfill God’s will as faithful servants of His in building up the Kingdom.