But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, would say to him, as he was returning from the field, Come in immediately; sit down to eat. (Lk 17:7)
Τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν δοῦλον ἔχων ἀροτριῶντα ἢ ποιμαίνοντα, ὃς εἰσελθόντι ἐκ τοῦ ἀγροῦ ἐρεῖ αὐτῷ· εὐθέως παρελθὼν ἀνάπεσε.
Quis autem vestrum habens servum arantem aut pascentem, qui regresso de agro dicat illi: Statim transi, recumbe.
The field is a mysterious place because it combines the power of nature and human work. The soil produces crops. What is needed is human wisdom, effort, perseverance. Without these activities, the soil will still give birth, but spontaneously. This is usually when weeds grow. The work of the servant is necessary for the field to have its own meaning. The Gospel often uses the image of a field and soil. It is the place of the first activity of the paradise man, and then of the sinner laboring by the sweat of his brow. The older son in Luke 15 was returning from the field when he heard music and dancing. He did not want to enter the house because he did not understand the joy of serving. May our daily fields of activities remind us of the humility of service.
