Beyond the Bare Minimum

The end is near.

We feel the cold morning air as we trudge along through mounds of dead leaves.

Our liturgical year comes to an end this month.

And our Scripture readings have begun to focus on the end times.

The words from the Book of Wisdom tell us that

God formed man to be imperishable.

But then death entered the world through the Devil.

Yet still, the just, the worthy, the blessed, the faithful, the elect live on.

How can we get counted among those blessed who live on?

We all want to be in that number, when the saints go marchin’ in.

We’ve been taught that two things we need to pursue are Faith and Good Works.

And the verses that lead into today’s Gospel give us some guidance on that.

Regarding faith, we need to keep asking for increased faith.

As for Good Works, we at least need to do what we’re commanded.

Those verses also give a few example commands. 

Don’t lead others into sin.

Forgive those who ask for forgiveness.

In today’s Gospel Jesus takes his guidance a bit further.

When you have done all you have been commanded say,

‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what were obliged to do.’

He clearly urges us to do more than the bare minimum.

Our presence here today shows that we recognize that.

Our daily Mass may be one of our little extras above the minimum.

We have a lot of examples of people who have gone well beyond the minimum.

Today’s example is Pope Leo the Great.

One of those who has been numbered among the saints.

Dedicating his life to serving the Church—serving God’s people.

Writing, preaching, teaching, leading; a Doctor of the Church.

Adding understanding to the mystery of Christ as one person with two natures.

Fighting heresies.

Saving 5^th Century Rome from Attila the Hun.

Do we have to do as much as Pope Leo?                                                            

With an eye to those end times, now is a good time to consider our progress.

How much faith do we need to have?

How many Good Works are we obliged to perform?

Considering all God has given us—

What are we ready to give him in return?

Tuesday, 32nd Week Ordinary Time

Lk 17:7-10    Read this Scripture @usccb.org