Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102322.cfm
St. Francis de Sales said, “ He who stays not in his littleness loses his greatness.”
This story can shed light on today’s Gospel. “A newly commissioned colonel had just moved into his office. A private entered with a tool box. To impress the private, the colonel said, “Be with you in a minute soldier! I got a phone call as you were knocking. Picking up his phone, the colonel said, “General it’s you! How can I help you?”
After a dramatic pause the colonel said, “No problem. I’ll phone Washington & talk to the president about it.” Putting down the phone the colonel said to the private, “Now, what can I do for you?” The private said, “I am here to hook up your phone.” [Action: Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way, Year C, Fr. Mark Link]
The private and the tax collector were “lowly”. In our psalm we prayed “I will bless the Lord at all times ….” Do we live our lives blessing the Lord at all times, the good days as well as the bad days? We are called to be saints, people who live ordinary lives extraordinarily, because they live them for the Lord. Living humbly, C. S. Lewis observed, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
Being “extraordinary” means being “lowly” and it is hard work, demanding work and many times menial work; work that often receives no notice or reward. St. Teresa of Calcutta, a.k.a. Mother Teresa became famous caring for and loving the dying in Calcutta.
A less famous Saint who did menial work with great love, whose prayers are credited for hundreds of miracles is St. Andre Bessette. Brother Andre scrubbed floors and was the doormen for his religious order for nearly 40 years in Montreal and became known as the Doorman of Montreal & Montreal’s Miracle Worker. Thousands of people came to him and asked for prayers - in 1937 over a million people attended his funeral. [Google him to read more about his life]
Today’s Gospel calls us to live our lives entirely for God, everything we do and everything we say. Our life is to become a prayer faithfully attentive to God’s movements in our lives.
Like St. Paul we are called “to finish the race and keep the faith”. We are called to be light for the world, a world increasing in darkness. We are reminded that we don’t want to live a false or pride filled life, but a life nourished by the richness of the Sacraments of our Church.
The humble people among are often invisible as they go about their day. They walk with God each day and focus their lives on living God’s Will. No matter what scientific or technological discoveries or breakthroughs occur – God is still God and we are still human beings created by Him in His image.
God’s presence is enduring, so join with me and pray:
[R] “we remember God.”
In the rising and the setting of the sun,
[R] “we remember God.”
In howling of the winter wind,
[R] “we remember God”.
In the blueness of the sky,
[R] “we remember God.”
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
[R] “we remember God.”
When we are weary and in need of strength,
[R] “we remember God”.
When we come to the table of the Lord,
[R] "we remember God.”
When we leave the Eucharistic celebration,
[R] “we remember God”. [Adaptation of a Jewish Prayer from the Rabbi Manual 1998]
The Pharisee in today’s Gospel prayed to let God know about the Pharisee’s goodness, while the tax collector was asking for God’s grace so God’s goodness could shine through his life. For a few moments in silence remember God and think about how you will remember God each day.
May God Be Praised!
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