Daily Gospel Reflection for November 13, 2018

Today's Gospel: Luke 17:7-10 If you’ve ever patted yourself on the back for your stellar Christian faith, today’s Gospel is for you. And maybe you’ve never actually had the nerve to say aloud, “Boy, Am I a stellar Christian!” But come on, haven’t you sometimes thought it? Perhaps I’m sharing an incredible weakness of my own here, but I like playing the devoted Christian and martyr. After all, I am spending my time writing a Gospel reflection here (and you are, after all, reading it!) You and I must be stellar Christians and deserve some praise! Besides that, I faithfully go to Mass each week. I pray. I serve my husband and children, sometimes even joyfully. I even serve my parish by teaching CCD. I do deserve a “pat” on the back. But it’s back to the last line of the gospel reading, “...we have done what we were obliged to do.” And when I honestly consider that line, I realize that it’s true. I’ve only done what I was obliged to do, and even being able to do these things is only possible because of God's grace. On my own, I would do none of these. Only by God’s grace can I pray, take care of my family, and even serve the Church. His grace allows me to do all of these things. I am nothing on my own. And for this reason, all patting on backs must cease. “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.”

Ponder:

Do I often consider my devotion and faith as something that I've achieved on my own, instead of seeing it as God's grace in my life?

Pray:

Dear Loving Father, Thank you for considering me worthy to be your servant and even better, your loving son or daughter. Please help me to serve you in a worthy manner, giving you all of the glory you deserve.