Tag: Saint Josaphat

“We have done what we were obliged to do.” | Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

Free me, Lord, from the snares of self-glorification as I look to act out of love for you rather than submission to any agenda whose aim is exalting myself. “For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of the Father.”

From the responsorial psalm: “Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:7-10)

“When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

In the parable from today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the relationship between a master and a servant to teach the Apostles about humility and duty. The servant, having worked all day, is expected to continue serving the master without expectation of thanks or reward. Although difficult to hear and put into action, the emphasis is on fulfilling one’s obligations, which does not call for special recognition; it is what is expected of a servant. By conveying this message to all of us, Jesus steers us away from seeking attention and praise and toward humility, service to God and others, gratitude, and faithfulness. Whatever makes possible the fulfilment of duties in a way that gives glory not to self for the shoring up of external validation but in service to God and obedience to his will—whatever that is, which God makes evident—ask God for the grace to accomplish it.

God, help me pay close attention to decisions I make throughout the day and why I make them. Am I doing things for the sake of recognition and reward, or am I quietly doing what you have called me to do in service to your holy will? Free me from the snares of self-glorification as I look to act out of love for you rather than submission to any agenda whose aim is exalting myself. “For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of the Father.” Saint Josaphat, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.  Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Jesus says in today’s Gospel reading that for those who call out to him day and night, God renders justice speedily. By saying this, Jesus draws a direct connection between constant prayer and speedy justice. In my experience, I know that God hears my prayers, but I wait a long time to see a response to them or any kind of justice as a result of my prayers. What is apparently contradictory, is not contradictory at all. God works in his own time and in his own way, and what seems like an eternity to me is to God like a flash of lightning. God’s time is not my own. I know it must be that his will is accomplished even as I pray but am unable to see results.

God, help me understand and be at peace with how you accomplish justice on earth; that is, how your will is carried out in my life and the world around me. Figuring out your timetable is futile and irrelevant, but learning to trust you and believe that you hear me and act in my life is absolutely vital. “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

God, you sent your Son to every one of us out of love and mercy, and he will come again in glory. These invisible realities I hold in faith; strengthen me through your grace to accept them as truth. Thank you for your goodness, Lord, and let me remember to return to you throughout the day in my prayers, words, and actions. You are my Father in heaven, and I want you to be well pleased with me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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