Jesus reminds us that there are things we must do even if we do not receive anything in return.

Not because it has no value in God’s eyes, but for us to turn our attention to His promises to us.

When we come to him as a servant, he welcomes us as a sister or brother and friend and,

at the end of this life, will tell us "Come, ... inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Wisdom of Solomon 2:23-3:9

Indeed God created man

To be immortal in the likeness of his own nature, but the envy of the devil brought death to the world, and those who take his side shall experience death.

 

The souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them. In the eyes of the unwise they appear to be dead. Their going is held as a disaster; it seems that they lose everything by departing from us, but they are in peace.

 

Though seemingly they have been punished, immortality was the soul of their hope. After slight affliction will come great blessings, for God has tried them and found them worthy to be with him; after testing them as gold in the furnace, he has accepted them as a holocaust. 

 

At the time of his coming they will shine like sparks that run in the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king forever. Those who trust in him will penetrate the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love, for his grace and mercy are for his chosen ones.

 

Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 I will bless the Lord at all times.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 17:7-10

Who among you would say to your servant, coming in from the fields after plowing or tending sheep, 'Go ahead and have your dinner? No, you tell him, 'Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron, and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink afterward. Do you thank this servant for doing what you told him to do? I don't think so. And therefore, when you have done all that you have been told to do, you should say, 'We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.""

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"We see death as a new beginning."

If you've been to a Catholic funeral, you've almost certainly heard today's first reading. It's easy to see why. There's something immensely comforting in knowing that the souls of all our loved ones who have died in faith are in the hands of God. There is no better place for them to be since God lovingly fashioned those souls and nurtured them throughout their earthly lives.

 

The world sees death as an ending, but through faith in Jesus, we see death as a new beginning, since life is changed, not ended. People who lack faith may see death as a punishment or a misfortune, but we know that death is the door that leads us to our eternal home, life with God. While those of us still on earth mourn because we are parted from those we love, we rejoice in the hope that we will be together again in the final resurrection when we will dwell with God in grace, mercy, and peace.