The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, November 14, 2000
The Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Titus 2:1-8,11-14
Psalm 37:3-4,18,23,27,29
Luke 17:7-10
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A reflection on today's Scripture:
We can identify so easily with the metaphors the Lord uses in today's
Gospel -- about the servant who has worked long, long hours, is
exhausted, perhaps finally at home doing for his or her own family --
and not getting any thanks from anyone, least of all his children.
Yet he is doing what he knows is his duty.
It is not enough for us to attend Mass, to pray, to fulfill the law
-- the Lord expects us to "go the extra mile" -- and not to be patted
on the back for it. When I was growing up, and I wandered from the
straight and narrow, my father would just look at me and say calmly,
"What's the matter with you?" There was no need of explanations,
exhortations, or recriminations -- just a simple look and a simple
reminder. It was as though he had expressed it all in words like
"Just do your duty -- that's what is expected of you. Don't look for
effusive praise. Don't you love God and your parents enough to make
them proud of you? and happy with you? Then we will know you love
us!"
There's an old saying that sums it up, I think:
"Virtue is its own reward."
- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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