Daily Readings - Tue Nov 14 2023
Luke
7"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?8Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'?9Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?10So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Sermon
The first reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that God created humanity to be immortal, made in His image and likeness. However, through the envy of the devil, death entered the world. Yet, the souls of the just are in God’s hands, and no torment of death will touch them. Though they may suffer in the eyes of the foolish, their hope is rooted in immortality. This passage reassures us that those who trust in God will understand the truth and find peace in His love. It is a powerful reminder of the eternal nature of the soul and the ultimate triumph of the just.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a servant and master, emphasizing the importance of humility. He asks if a master would thank a servant for doing their duty, implying that the servant should not expect praise for fulfilling their responsibilities. Jesus then applies this to His disciples, saying that when they have done all that is commanded, they should humbly acknowledge that they are merely doing what is expected of them. This teaching challenges us to embrace a spirit of humility and selflessness in our service to God and others.
Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan and to live with humility. The first reading encourages us to see beyond the trials of this life, knowing that our ultimate reward is eternal peace with God. The Gospel reminds us that our efforts to follow God’s will are not for personal recognition but as an act of love and obedience. In our daily lives, let us face challenges with faith, knowing that God tests and refines us like gold in a furnace. Let us also serve others without seeking praise, recognizing that our true reward comes from being faithful stewards of God’s grace. May we strive to live as children of God, trusting in His wisdom and walking in humility.