Parable of the Master and Servant

"[1] The parable reads as follows: But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, "Come immediately and sit down at the table," and will not rather tell him, "Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink.

"This parable suggests that "even the best of God's servants are still unworthy because they have only done their duty and no more.

"[1] William Barclay[3] relates the parable to the last verse of the Isaac Watts hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross": Were the whole realm of Nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

[4] The phrase "unworthy servant" in the last verse of the parable is widely used liturgically, such as in the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

[5] Scottish biblical writer William Nicoll refers to this story as "the parable of extra service".

The prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion by Thomas Aquinas includes a phrase similar to the last verse of this parable:
I thank You, O holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, who have deigned, not through any merits of mine, but out of the condescension of Your goodness, to satisfy me a sinner, Your unworthy servant .
(Painting by Alphonse Legros )