The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to live our phrase of “gratitude for your service” by being servants of God and agents of love, mercy, care, and compassion on our journey in life.
The Reading from the Book of Wisdom shares the Hidden Counsels of God, ON SUFFERING
* [2:24] Envy: perhaps because Adam was in the image of God or because Adam had control over all creation. Devil: the first biblical text to equate the serpent of Gn 3 with the devil. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
* [3:1–4:19] The central section of chaps. 1–6. The author begins by stating that immortality is the reward of the righteous, and then in the light of that belief comments on three points of the traditional discussion of the problem of retribution (suffering, childlessness, early death) each of which was often seen as a divine punishment.
* [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.
* [3:6] Offerings: the image is that of the burnt offering, in which the victim is completely consumed by fire.
* [3:7] Judgment: the Greek episkopē is God’s loving judgment of those who have been faithful to him; the same word is used in 14:11 for the punishment of the wicked at God’s judgment. Cf. also v. 13. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 34 is a thanksgiving calling for trust in God.
* [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). (Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke celebrates the Attitude of a Servant.
* [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. (Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
Ronald Fussell comments that it is so important for us all to slow down and to thoughtfully examine the extent to which we are preparing ourselves for our spiritual inheritance.
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. (Fussell, n.d.)
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 17.7-10) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Wisdom 2:23–3:9 wonders how we can read today’s passage and not think of Jesus? Jesus was the “just” man whose death was “thought an affliction” and “utter destruction” (Wisdom 3:1-3). But because he entrusted himself to his Father even in the face of his unjust death, God raised him to life again.
Let this good news bring joy to your heart. Death, the ancient tyrant, has been overcome. And not only death but even the fear of death has been destroyed. Everyone who lives in justice and faith can walk through life confident and joyful. You can be confident. Why? Because your life is in God’s hands. Stay close to him. Remain in his promises and his commands, and you will have nothing to fear.
“Jesus, risen Lord, I praise and magnify you for destroying death!” (Meditation on Wisdom 2:23–3:9, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes in the Wisdom passage, God formed us to be imperishable but sin and death changed things. Those who die are not being punished. The author in Wisdom believes heaven is more than originally understood in Judaism. God created us to share in His eternal joy even after a time of testing. Luke notes Jesus' explanation of the role of a servant. The reward of service is the ability to serve in the image of God. We serve like Jesus and “wash their feet”. Friar Jude explains Heaven will be eternal service, an expression of the love that we are called to be.
Fr. Mike Schmitz focuses on our Lord’s compassion and our call to be merciful, as he is. He emphasizes the beauty of God’s mercy and his offering of it despite our unworthiness. He also strikes a balance between the goodness of humanity as God’s creation and our brokenness due to original sin. Today’s readings are Luke 6-8 and Proverbs 26:1-3.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, concludes anger against the tragic absurdity of life is deserved and necessary, but if we do not transform our anger, we will transmit it.
I’ve seen this happen in so many lives: Women exhausted by holding the world together who finally give themselves permission to weep. Men on retreat who discover a profound sadness underneath their anger. Healers who let grief lead them to care instead of burnout. And in Daily Meditations readers like Kecia, who shared her story with us:
I grew up in an authoritative, spiritually abusive household and spent my childhood terrified of God. By reading the Daily Meditations, CAC has brought Christianity back into my life. I saw the humanity of Jesus for the first time and the deep understanding that I’m not separate or alone. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the sacrifice and service of many in giving their lives to sustain our struggle for peace, love, and joy.
References
Fussell, R. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-12-2019
Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?7
Meditation on Wisdom 2:23–3:9. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/11/1427722/
Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Living into Transformation. CAC Centre for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-father-richard-living-into-transformation/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). We Have Only Done Our Duty. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Wisdom, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/2?23
Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/3
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