Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Bishop
I remember that when I was a child in school, I would receive awards for good conduct and perfect attendance. However, my award-winning behavior and class attendance were things that I was supposed to do in order to stay in school and do well there. This particular aspect of my school experience is the opposite of what Jesus said in today’s Gospel reading: “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do,’” (Luke 17: 10).
What does God oblige us to do? Multiple times throughout the Gospels, Jesus commands his disciples to love God and love their neighbor (see Matthew 19:19, 22:39; Mark 12:30-33; Luke 10: 27; John 13: 34-35, 15: 9-14). Both commandments are reinforced by today’s first reading from the book of Wisdom. Wisdom 3: 9 says, “Those who trust in [God] shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.” We can see this love in the saints and people we know. They show us that such love for God requires trust and faith in God. In addition, Wisdom 2: 23 says, “God formed [hu]man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made them.” We are all made in the image and likeness of God regardless of who we are. Therefore, God calls us to love our neighbors too.
God does not incentivize us or bribe us to love but wants us to choose to love freely. Therefore, today’s readings can also teach us something about humility. We don’t love in order to receive rewards or recognition. Rather, humility gained through love opens us up to be more receptive to God’s grace, mercy, and care that is already available to us. God loves us freely without asking for anything in return. Likewise, we are called to do the same with God and others.
Overall, living as Jesus’ disciples means doing what God asks of us not for praise, but out of love. When we act out of love, we reflect God’s presence in the world and help others experience God’s mercy and care. And really that is our true reward: to be known, cared for, and loved by God.
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI