💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 14 💖

First Reading - Wisdom 2:23-3:9

Gospel - Luke 17:7-10

Today’s Gospel gives Jesus’ warning on complacency in the spiritual life through a parable about a slave and his relationship with his master. The slave had the duties of a cook as well as those of a fieldworker. Jesus says that the master wanted him to do fieldwork till evening, then prepare the supper and serve him at the table. Since both were parts of his duty, he need not expect a “thank you” from the master. This parable was a warning also to the Pharisees, who thought that God was indebted to them because of their scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law.

We are God’s servants because God owns everything, and all our possessions have been loaned to us by a generous God. Our efforts and accomplishments are nothing in comparison with the blessings of God which we have received. All our devotions, prayers, and works of charity form only a negligible part of our return to God, and the power to do them is another of His gifts to us. We can never adequately repay the gifts God has given to us. The Blessed Virgin Mary was fully aware of this truth, and that is why she responded to God’s messenger saying: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38). St. Bernadette of Soubirous (1844-1879), the girl to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in Lourdes, France lived a life in obscurity as a contemplative nun. A journalist was able to track her down and eventually got the permission of the Prioress to interview her. One question that the journalist asked of her was why she opted to live in obscure life when she was so well known all over the world. In answer Bernadette compared herself to a house broom which has been put aside in a closet after it had been used to clean the room.

Dear friends, we need to offer our prayers of thanksgiving and acts of charity to God so that we may grow in God’s grace. We also need to consider our service to our neighbors as a sacred duty we owe to God in return for His innumerable blessings. 

Let's pray that God’s love and generosity may compel us to give Him the best that is in us as our acts of thanksgiving.