11/11/2014 – Tuesday of 32nd week of ordinary time – Luke 17:7-10

       I have remarked many times to my parishioners that while we enjoy hearing the Gospel readings that are comfortable, consoling, and encouraging, we often don’t like Scripture readings that make us uncomfortable or that challenge us. We like to hear the stories about Jesus healing people, reaching out to the poor and feeding the multitudes, don’t we?  But what about the message in today’s Gospel? When we do a good job and when we go out of our way to do something nice for someone, we like to be shown gratitude and appreciation. Perhaps the point of this parable is that even after the servant has done his daily work, he is still the servant, and he should be ready to continue in his service to the master.  We are not to just do the minimum as Christ’s servants and followers. We are not just to do what we think is required of us or expected of us.  We need to give of our whole selves, to be ready to serve Christ at every moment of every day.  Since this is our identity and our being, it should not seem like drudgery.  We are called to serve Christ with joyful hearts.
       We are called to emulate Mary's willingness to serve God with her whole heart, as she saw her identity as the handmaid of the Lord.  We are called to emulate the humility of the many missionaries who sacrificed and died for the faith.  On Veterans' Day, we think of all the men and women who served in the military to protect their country.  Like all these examples of faith, may we always be open to be servants of the Lord.  May we live out our faith with our entire being.