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| “Paul the Apostle” by El Greco, 1610-14 |
(Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in
Ordinary Time)
Alternate readings for the Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini may be taken from Common of Virgins or Common of Holy Men and Women for Religious
Reading 1: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14
As for yourself, you must say
what is consistent with sound doctrine,
namely, that older men should
be temperate, dignified,
self-controlled, sound in
faith, love, and endurance.
Similarly, older women should
be reverent in their behavior,
not slanderers, not addicted
to drink,
teaching what is good, so
that they may train younger women
to love their husbands and
children,
to be self-controlled,
chaste, good homemakers,
under the control of their
husbands,
so that the word of God may
not be discredited.
Urge the younger men,
similarly, to control themselves,
showing yourself as a model
of good deeds in every respect,
with integrity in your
teaching, dignity, and sound speech
that cannot be criticized,
so that the opponent will be
put to shame
without anything bad to say
about us.
For the grace of God has
appeared, saving all
and training us to reject
godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately,
justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory
of the great God
and of our savior Jesus
Christ,
who gave himself for us to
deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a
people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
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Commentary on Ti 2:1-8, 11-14
In the first section of the
reading from St. Paul
The selection is concluded
with St. Paul
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29
R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the
Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do
good,
that you may dwell in the
land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your
heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the
lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts
forever.
By the LORD are the steps of
a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the
land
and dwell in it forever.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29
Psalm 37 is a
lament containing the plea to be faithful to God and remain steadfast in the
time of adversity. The psalmist adds that those who turn away should return and
God will give them salvation.
“The land:” (referenced in
the first and third strophes) “the promised land, Israel
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Gospel: Luke 17:7-10
“Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from
plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and
take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to
him,
‘Prepare something for me to
eat.
Put on your apron and wait on
me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I
am finished’?
Is he grateful to that
servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you
have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable
servants;
we have done what we were
obliged to do.’”
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Commentary on Lk 17:7-10
Jesus continues
to respond to the disciples request to have their faith increased. In this
selection he uses the story of the servant who, just because he had finished
his other duties, could not claim his master’s gratitude. He was only doing
what he was called to do. In the same way the disciples could make no special
claim on God because they did what they were obliged to do because of their
call.
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Reflection:
We can call the Gospel today
an attitude adjustment. If anyone thinks
that, because they are really good at living their faith and doing God’s will,
they have somehow earned God’s favor, that person is sadly mistaken. Jesus makes it clear to his disciples, to
whom this passage from St. Luke’s Gospel was addressed, that even if they did
all that God asks of them, they have not “earned” a reward. They have only done what was expected.
Does this mean that all of
our hard work, all our attention to what God calls us to be is not worth
while? That is not what this parable was
intended to say. God’s love for us is
much more subtle and goes much deeper.
If, for example, a person from their youngest memory, always listens to
their parent’s teachings and shows them the respect and love they deserve,
should that child be given a special reward?
Is it not the child’s duty to follow the parent’s instructions and
express love to the father and mother who shelters them, feeds them, and nurtures
them; keeping them from harm and teaching them to find their way in the
world. Because the child was obedient
have they somehow gone above and beyond expectations? No, they have not (in
this day and age, the example used might not seem to be quite as effective as
in earlier years when children were expected to be obedient). In a similar way, should a parent who takes
responsibility for their child be given special praise because they have
fulfilled their obligation? No. They promised to do that and more when they
stood before the Church at the child’s Baptism.
The point is well taken. When
we do what is expected, we should not expect special recognition or
reward. We should offer that service
willingly and joyfully as our gift to one who has given us, the gift of eternal
life.
As St. Paul St.
Paul
Today we give thanks to a
loving Father who created us, who gives us his love and mercy. We recognize that our love must be reflected
in how we act toward others, who are our brothers and sisters, and rejoice in
the knowledge that through his love alone we are brought under Christ’s
headship, unified in him.
Pax
[2]
The Picture is “Paul the Apostle” by El Greco, 1610-14
[3]
The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the
Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for
English in Liturgy (ICEL). This
re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4]
See NAB footnote on Psalm 37:11, 22, 27, 29, 34
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