Daily Readings - Tue Nov 11 2025
Luke
7"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?8Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?9Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?10So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"
Sermon
The first reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that God created humanity for immortality, fashioned in His own image. However, death entered the world through the envy of the devil. Despite this, the souls of the just remain in God’s hands, untouched by death’s torment. To the foolish, the righteous may seem to die or suffer, but in truth, they are at peace, tested and refined like gold in a furnace. They will shine in the time of God’s visitation and judge the nations, reigning with the Lord forever. This passage assures us that those who trust in God and remain faithful will understand the truth and find rest in His love.
The Gospel from Luke presents a parable about a servant and his master. Jesus asks if a master would immediately welcome a servant who has just finished working in the field to sit and eat. He points out that the master would instead expect the servant to prepare dinner and serve first. Jesus then applies this to our relationship with God: when we have done all that we are commanded, we should not expect praise but rather humbly acknowledge that we have only done our duty. This teaching emphasizes the virtue of humility and the recognition that our service to God and others is not for earthly reward but out of love and obedience.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our attitude toward suffering and service. The Book of Wisdom encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even in the face of suffering, knowing that our ultimate peace and glory are in Him. The Gospel calls us to embrace humility, recognizing that our efforts to live according to God’s will are not for our own glory but as a response to His grace. In daily life, this means accepting challenges with faith, serving others without seeking recognition, and finding joy in doing God’s will. Let us strive to live as “useless servants,” humbly trusting in God’s love and providence.