The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be creative and disciplined as we experience the journey of dutifully putting one foot in front of the other as a disciple of Jesus.
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| Service and creativity |
Wisdom imagines the destiny of the righteous in communion with God.
* [3:1–12] The author affirms that, for the righteous, sufferings are not punishments but purification and opportunities to show fidelity, whereas for the wicked suffering is truly a punishment.1
The psalmist can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone.
* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22).2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds us that we need to have the attitude of a servant towards our daily work.
* [17:7–10] These sayings of Jesus, peculiar to Luke, which continue his response to the apostles’ request to increase their faith (Lk 17:5–6), remind them that Christian disciples can make no claim on God’s graciousness; in fulfilling the exacting demands of discipleship, they are only doing their duty.3
Ronald Fussell quotes the founder of the order, Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Fr. Andre Coindre “when you have done all you can, you have done all you must”.
And, only after we have done what we have been commanded, Jesus instructs us to say “we are unprofitable servants; we have done what we are obliged to do” (Luke 17:10). What does it mean to be an “unprofitable servant”? When I reflect on this phrase, I am drawn to the idea that the work that we do to glorify the Lord here on Earth is never transactional. Rather, it is always for the greater good. Perhaps our prayer should reflect that. Today’s Gospel is a reminder that we should not be praying for own interests, but instead, we should be praying that we can continue to grow in how we bring glory to God in all that we do every day. By being mindful of this subtle shift in perspective, and by always striving for greater service for those who need it most, we make ourselves more worthy for life with Christ.4
Don Schwager quotes “We are called to humble service,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"You do not say to your servant, 'Sit down,' but require more service from him and do not thank him. The Lord also does not allow only one work or labor for you, because so long as we live we must always work. "Know that you are a servant overwhelmed by very much obedience. You must not set yourself first, because you are called a son of God. Grace must be acknowledged, but nature not overlooked. Do not boast of yourself if you have served well, as you should have done. The sun obeys, the moon complies (Joshua 10:12-13; Baruch 6:60), and the angels serve... Let us not require praise from ourselves nor prevent the judgment of God and anticipate the sentence of the Judge but reserve it for its own time and Judge." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.31-32)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Wisdom 2:23–3:9 suggests that we imagine God holding each of us with tenderness but firmness, the way a seasoned father or grandfather might grasp a little one. In his solid but careful grasp, we are secure and at peace.
But this great, comforting truth isn’t limited just to the hour of death. God holds us in his strong hands every moment of our lives, from our very beginning and through all the stages and seasons of our lives. The more we trust in this truth, the more convinced we will be that he won’t abandon us in the end.
If you have a loved one approaching death, believe that God’s hand remains on them. Even if they are suffering, look for God’s loving touch in the care of the people who surround them. And if you have recently lost someone dear to you, take today’s passage to heart. Believe that God will never release them from his tender hold!6
Friar Jude Winkler explores the Greek concept of afterlife that is reflected in the writing of the Book of Wisdom. Service (and hard work) is it’s own reward. Friar Jude reminds us to be wary of the belief that we plug our way in life to earn a place in heaven.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, and his friend Mirabai Starr believe that each of has the capacity to offer something new to the world. It does not come quickly or easily, but few things of any depth or value ever do. Mirabai writes:
There is a vital connection between creativity and mysticism. To engage with the creative impulse is to agree to take a voyage into the heart of the Mystery. Creativity bypasses the discursive mind and delivers us to the source of our being. When we allow ourselves to be a conduit for creative energy, we experience direct apprehension of that energy. We become a channel for grace. To make art is to make love with the sacred. It is a naked encounter, authentic and risky, vulnerable and erotically charged.7
Our journey is made up of opportunities to creatively offer our time, treasure, and talent in service to our mission in Christ. Mystical revelation often comes through making our way mindfully through mundane tasks.
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