Daily Gospel Reflection for October 6, 2019 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel: Luke 17:5-10 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time "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." In his gospel verses today, St. Luke writes like the practical family physician that he was. There is no great virtue in doing the things we are supposed to do. In school, just meeting the requirement would give us a grade of B or C. If we just barely meet our obligations, what great virtue is there in that? I think this really speaks to us as mothers of children. A good mom of course provides food and shelter for her children and makes sure that they are educated. But it is the great mom who goes above and beyond those obligations according to the gifts that are given to her. I remember my mother telling me such wonderful stories in the car on the way to dance class that I didn't want the ride to end! She wasn't obligated to do that (nor was she obligated to give me dancing lessons). But sharing that little bit of herself is what made her a great mom in my eyes. Today St. Luke is telling us that Jesus encourages all of us that just meeting our obligations is okay, but to be great saints we have to push a little harder than that!