The servanthood of Christian discipleship demands faithfulness in one's duties - doing without expecting Rewards. This means that salvation is not a 'reward' for tasks well accomplished but a gratuitious offer or gift from God. Thus we have no claim on God's graciousness or gratitude. We serve with disinterestedness. This is in contrary to what the Pharisees believed. They considered that duties fulfilled bring a claim on salvation.

In other words, no matter how hard we work, we consider ourselves as mere servants, who have done only what is our obligation to God. So we respond to situations with pure love of God.

This is a good reminder to community leaders in our local parishes - services rendered without claiming rewards.

Similarly in our relationships with our earthly mother and father, we are to respect them with genuine love and we shall be blessed. This is reflected in the first reading.