First reading Titus 2:1-8,11-14
You must preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine
It is for you to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine. The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy. Similarly, the older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking – they are to be the teachers of the right behaviour and show the younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children, how they are to be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and do as their husbands tell them, so that the message of God is never disgraced. In the same way, you have got to persuade the younger men to be moderate and in everything you do make yourself an example to them of working for good: when you are teaching, be an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody can make objections to it; and then any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us. You see, God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.
Responsorial Psalm 36(37):3-4,18,23,27,29
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.
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.
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.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Gospel Luke 17:7-10
You are merely servants
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’
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Doing what we have been told
“When you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘we are merely servants…’” Jesus, in the gospel, reminds us of the fundamental attitude of being a servant. It is in the ability to listen to what we have been told to do and to obey by putting it into action. At first glance, listening and obeying may seem simple. However, our experiences reveal that it is often more challenging than it appears. Listening requires us to be open to God’s word, while humility and trust are necessary to obey and follow His ways. Above all, love for God and genuine concern for others are essential in our service.
Our service begins with prayer. Through our conversation with Jesus, we learn to listen attentively and be at the service of the Word. From there, we humbly do whatever He tells us. With love, we joyfully follow in the footsteps of our Master Servant.
Reflective question:
How am I called to be at the service of God and others?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
