By Newton Basumatari csc.
Readings: Wis 2: 23-3:9; Lk 17: 7-10
The theme of humility is presented in today’s readings. Pope Francis said in one of his sermons, “To practice this virtue, we need to become faithful servants. To be servants we need to give up our desire for power and disloyalty behaviour”. The first reading of the day also speaks of the outcome of being faithful servants, whose life will be in the hands of God, and no torment will ever touch them, and they will always remain in God’s love.
In the gospel reading, Jesus’ message is centred around the theme of humility. A faithful servant always practices humility, so also the master of a servant needs to show his humility in dealing with his servant just as Christ our master had shown us. Christ, being the creator of the universe, left the glory of heaven to live among his creation. He was rejected by them, beaten, spat upon, and nailed on the cross. This act of selflessness and humility serves as an example for us to follow.
Very often when we face challenges in our lives, we grumble and forget God’s love and the humility that Christ wants us to practice in our day- to-day living. Today through these readings, we are invited to examine our lives and see whether we have shown humility to the people who are working under us or not. Let us ask the Lord to fill us with this spirit so that we may show humility with our actions to our brothers and sisters.