FIRST READING
Titus 2:1-8, 11-14
Beloved:
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.
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.
ALLELUIA
John 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles:
“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.’”
REFLECTIONS:
Are you ready to give the Lord your best, regardless
of what it might cost you? Perhaps we are like the laborer in Jesus' parable
who expected special favor and reward for going the extra mile? How
unfair for the master to compel his servant to give more than what was
expected! Don't we love to assert our rights: "I will give only what is
required and no more!" But who can satisfy the claims of love? Jesus used
this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God
in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard
ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but
to serve" (Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a
voluntary or free act and a sacred duty. One can volunteer for service
or be compelled to do service for one's country or one's family when special
needs arise. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise
which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of
our lives to him and to his service. What makes our offering pleasing to
God is the love we express in the gift of self-giving. True love is sacrificial,
generous, and selfless.
How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? Scripture tells
us that God himself is
love (1 John 4:16) he is the author of
life and the source of all true relationships of love and friendship. He
created us in love for love and he fills our hearts with the boundless
love that gives whatever is good for the sake of another (Romans 5:5).
If
we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1
John 4:12). God honors the faithful servant who loves and serves others
generously. He is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. We
must remember, however, that God can never be indebted to us. We have no
claim on him. His love compels us to give him our best! And when we have
done our best, we have simply done our duty. We can never outmatch God
in doing good and showing love. God loves us without measure. Does the
love of God compel you to give your best?
"Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love, gratitude and generosity. Make
me a faithful and zealous servant for you. May I generously pour out my
life in loving service for you and for others, just as you have so generously
poured yourself out in love for me."
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