Tuesday, November 12, 2002
32nd Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Tit 2:1-8, 11-14
Gospel: Lk 17:7-10
Jesus said to his disciple, "Who among you would say to your servant coming in from the fields after plowing or tending sheep: 'Come at once and sit down at table'? No, you tell him: 'Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; you can eat and drink afterwards.' Do you thank this servant for doing what you commanded? So for you. When you have done all that you have been told to do, you must say: 'We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.'"
Commentary
Can we talk about duty where there is true love? Can we say that spouses have duties or mutual obligations? Indeed we could. But we feel such language is inadequate. What is done for love, it is done with pleasure, even though difficult and hard. This can also be said about our relationship with God. Do we have any merits or rights before Him? Nothing of that sort. What we have and what we are, we have received as pure grace. Life, freedom, love. All is grace. That is why in Christian life it is better to talk about thanksgiving than about duties. We don't act out of obligation but out of grateful love for the God who has loved us and loves us so much.