Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson

The disasters vary, but the post-event interviews of the heroes who responded have a certain commonality. The reporter offers them praise but they almost always respond: “I was only doing my duty.” Those of us with any sensitivity might even be moved to tears on hearing this. It is a certain bravery blended with sure humility. Such can restore one’s faith in humanity when cynicism tries to hold sway.

Yet there are also those many smaller and very personal tragedies that include such things like temporary loss of faith and trust in God. If we have ever experienced these, we know that they rob the soul of peace. In these cases, heroism is anonymous and unknown. People like you and me, who through prayer and the support of friends have been able to triumph over the pain. We do not ever count ourselves as heroes. But God does. That is the truth to remember. It is the reward of faith.

It sometimes happens that we forget God’s love for us and the support it supplies. We lose the energy it takes to be a Eucharistic person. We lapse in practice. Slowly but surely the “Mass less” Sundays pile up. We drift away from the “once upon a time” child we were the day of our First Holy Communion. And if we manage to do something good for God, we want some applause.

It is really an exceptionally good gift the Holy Spirit gives us, through this weekend’s gospel passage, to remind us of a certain fact. It reflects that “full transparency” so prized in public discourse these days. What is it? This: we are unworthy of the personal and tender love of God. When we live as He asks, we are not heroes but only doers of our duty as His adopted children.

Even so, that attitude brings its own reward. What is that? The smile on the face of Christ when He notes that we are doing our best, day after day. It is the Sacred Smile we hope to see in person some fine day. The guarantee of that event is based on humility, the true touchstone of healthy spirituality. Here is a good example of that virtue in ordinary life:

Once upon a time, an ardent music lover unexpectedly met the great Johannes Brahms. On recognizing the composer, the man asked: “Master, would you please write here a small portion of a masterpiece and sign it so I can have precious memory of this fortunate encounter?”

Brahms took the pencil and paper, scribbled the initial bars of “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II and signed “Unfortunately, not by me. Johannes Brahms.”

God love you and be among His humble heroes.

Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary

Reading I: Hebrews 1:2-3, 2:3-4

Old Testament revelation came piecemeal, but in the New Testament, everything is revealed in Christ. He “bears the very stamp of (God’s) nature.”

Reading II: 2 Timothy 1:6-8. 13-14

Timothy, who was ordained a bishop by Paul, is urged to complete his mission at Ephesus. He is to yield to the Spirit’s power and preserve the teaching of Paul that he received.

The Gospel: Luke 17: 5-10

True disciples should not expect congratulations for their service. Their work is important, but not beyond the call of Christian duty. No one can fully repay God for His gifts.