The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, November 4, 2003
Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
St. Charles Borromeo, bishop

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Romans 12:5-16
Psalm 131:1-3
Luke 14:15-24

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Bring the poor, crippled, blind from the countryside...
none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.
(see Luke 14:24)

Too often those who have been gifted by God with a particular talent make use of it for their own honor and glory, to make themselves admired in the community of man rather than devoting their gift to God to build His kingdom. God gifts His people not for themselves but for the good of others. Indeed, gifts can prove a curse to individuals and to the world when used apart from His divine will.

Today's readings illustrate the fate of those deaf to God's call, those preoccupied with doing their own thing. God turned to the poor and the humble to share His feast. In their hunger and poverty of spirit these gladly responded to His call, and therefore theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Christ who is true God as well as true man became the slave of us all. When He washed His Apostles' feet, He was actually calling them to serve one another and the world, giving themselves totally for the good of others, inviting them to assume the same Cross He would accept on behalf of humanity. The Old Testament speaks now more loudly than ever: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

O, Blessed Lord,
by Your grace empty us of preoccupations with self;
help us to joyfully and generously respond to Your call
to serve you by serving one another. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds (mlbocko at borg dot com)

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posted by joachim at 5:04 AM