Luke 17:7-10

Wisdom 2:23-3:9

Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

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.’”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I am your servant. I am in awe of your Son’s humility. He served and gave himself fully without reserve. He is my model. I am your child and will, with the gift of your grace, imitate your Son to the best of my ability.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Humble Stewardship in the Kingdom: Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:44) is divided into four parts. Today, we read the conclusion of the second part of the journey. While the first part dealt with Jesus’ prophetic and divine mission and the cost of discipleship, the second part of the journey deals with the nature of God’s Kingdom and the response of humble and faithful stewardship that it requires. The second part began with the image of the narrow gate of salvation (Luke 13:22-30). Human strength is not sufficient to enter the gate. Only by a loving relationship with Jesus (Luke 13:25-27) and humility will we paradoxically be strong enough to enter into the Kingdom of God (Luke 13:29-30). Today’s Gospel echoes these teachings. After working all day in the field – an image of humble and faithful stewardship – our attitude should remain one of humble service. Jesus begins by asking the Apostles to consider themselves as masters and how they would treat a servant. But Jesus ends by reversing things and asks the Apostles to identify themselves with the servants. The Apostles should exercise their leadership roles in the Church not as masters, but as servants and carry out “what they have been commanded to do, without complaint and without a sense of entitlement (see Luke 15:29)” (Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke, 292).

2. Wisdom’s Meditation on Genesis 1-3: In the First Reading, Wisdom speaks about the mystery of creation and salvation. Sin leads to ignorance about God’s plan (Wisdom 2:21-22). By contrast, those who pursue righteousness and holiness will be rewarded with immortality (Wisdom 2:22). What meditating on Genesis 1-2 reveals is that human beings were made for immortality: “God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made them” (Wisdom 2:23). We are embodied spiritual creatures, capable of knowledge and love and destined for a share in God’s eternal life. Genesis 3 reveals that the devil, the ancient serpent, desires to thwart God’s plan. “However, the devil’s envy brought death into the world. Envy is a sinful sadness over the good fortune of others. The devil was envious of the greatness of God and of the good life given to humanity” (Giszczak, Wisdom of Solomon, 49). When Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they died spiritually and became slaves to sin. Like the devil, they wanted to choose for themselves what is good and evil, rather than follow the path of goodness laid out by God.

3. The Fate of the Souls of the Just: In Chapter Three, Wisdom reflects on the fate of the righteous: They will enjoy immortal life with God, sharing in his reign, while the wicked are punished (3:1-13). Wisdom proclaims the awesome truth that there is life after death! Death is the separation of body and soul. What happens to the souls of the just? They are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. This is what the wise know. The foolish, by contrast, think that death is the final end, and not a beginning. They think that the wicked and the just alike will meet with utter destruction at the moment of death. For the foolish, this life is all that there is. Wisdom considers how our earthly life is not easy. The author speaks about how we are chastised in this life and tested by and proved (purified) by God. The just are compared to gold purified in a furnace and to a sacrificial offering. Our sacrifice and chastisement in this life will lead to blessedness in the next, where we shall share in God’s reign over all creation. God sustains us through the difficulties of this life with his grace, mercy, holiness, and providential care. We are called to trust in our divine King and Father.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I share in your battle to overcome the devil, sin, and death. I will strive to discern and follow the Father’s plan and work to thwart the devil’s plan. Grant me grace, mercy, and wisdom today.

Living the Word of God: Can I spend some time today praying and interceding for my loved ones who have passed away? How is my hope in God’s promise of eternal life? Do I trust him to lead me on the right path?