Young, old, male or female, we’re all called to live lives of holiness. Our first reading today from Titus 2 affirms this. How do we accomplish this? St. Paul gives a succinct answer. “For the grace of God has appeared, saving all training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age…”
In today’ Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus talks about how we are to respond when we do accomplish God’s will. Are we to shout and crow about what marvelous deeds we have done? Hardly. Jesus said, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’ ”
Jesus gives us a key about humility. This reading always reminds me about real heroes, and their reaction to their heroism. Like the soldier who saves the lives of his buddies on the battlefield. Or the family who foregoes that new car so that they can give their kids a Catholic education. You’ll never hear them crowing about how great they are or the sacrifices they made. You’ll likely only hear them say, “Hey, I’m just doing my job.” Same with us. We can accomplish great things through the grace of God. But we deserve zero credit. Because it is all about God’s grace. We’re just doing our jobs.
Father, we thank you for your grace each day. Help us today to humbly go about your business, just doing our jobs. Amen.
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