Breaking the Word

32^nd Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 15^th November 2024 – 2 John 4-9; Lk 17,26-37

Walking in Truth and Love

There are two parts in the first reading. In the first part, John appreciates the Church for following the true teaching, by “walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.”  In the second part, he warns his Church about those who are denying the true humanity of Jesus, saying “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.” John speaks about walking in the truth, which is nothing but walking in love. For him, the truth is Jesus Christ himself, the truth about him, and the true way of life he has called us to follow. He, then, urges his believers to walk in love and keep His commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” However, Love should not blind them to the truth because some ‘progressive teachers’ do not recognize Jesus and his teaching. They proclaim that the Son of God did not become a human being, but that he temporarily came down as man Jesus. They focus more on knowledge than on loving actions.  Therefore, John invites his believers to reject these deceivers and to imitate the ‘love teaching’ of Christ the Son.

32^nd Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 12^th November 2024 – Titus 2,1-8.11-14; Luke 17,7-10

Masters or Slaves

In the Gospel, Jesus invites his apostles to ponder their role as leaders: Should they act as masters or as servants? In the beginning, Jesus invites them to contemplate how they, if they were masters, would treat their servants. If their servants just came from plowing their fields or tending their sheep, would they, as masters, expect their servants to sit down, eat a good meal and take a good test or to continue working and wait on them? Naturally they would expect the continuous service of their servants. However, at the end of the parable, Jesus turns the tables and invites his apostles to identify themselves not with a master but with the servants. Just as a servant should not expect their master to be exuberant and grateful when they have only done what they have been commanded to do, so also the apostles should be humble in their service to their God and Lord. Lord Jesus is the servant par excellence. He is the Lord who stoops down, casts off his garment, and washes the feet of his servants to cleanse them from their sin.