Reading 1 EPH 6:1-9
Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,
not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord
for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Masters, act in the same way towards them, and stop bullying,
knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality.
Responsorial Psalm PS 145:10-11, 12-13AB, 13CD-14
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Alleluia SEE 2 THESS 2:14
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages,teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
WORK IT OUT
"Slaves, obey your human masters with the reverence, the awe, and the sincerity you owe to Christ." –Ephesians 6:5
One Bread, One Body - Reflection for October 26, 2016
When the Bible uses the word "slave," it means "employee" according to our language. God's Word commands us to obey our bosses with the reverence, awe, and sincerity we owe to Christ. This applies even to unreasonable employers. "You household slaves, obey your masters with all deference, not only the good and reasonable ones but even those who are harsh. When a man can suffer injustice and endure hardship through his awareness of God's presence, this is the work of grace in him" (1 Pt 2:18-19).
This amazing way of relating to bosses has a powerful evangelistic impact. "Slaves are to be submissive to their masters. They should try to please them in every way, not contradicting them nor stealing from them, but expressing a constant fidelity by their conduct, so as to adorn in every way possible the doctrine of God our Savior" (Ti 2:9-10).
Remember, we're not "working for perishable food but for food that remains unto life eternal" (Jn 6:27). If we're going to lead bosses and co-workers to the new, abundant, and eternal life with Jesus, we must work with and relate to others on the job in a different way. We "do not render service for appearance only and to please men, but do God's will" with our whole hearts (Eph 6:6). We give our "service willingly, doing it for the Lord rather than men" (Eph 6:7). Let's work so as to let God work through us. A few short years from now when everyone's retired, our workplace will have a reunion in heaven. May not one boss or co-worker be missing.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I see myself as pastor of my workplace and my co-workers as the members of my church. Work through me. |
| PROMISE: | "Try to come in through the narrow door." –Lk 13:24 |
| PRAISE: | Jerry and his boss stop their work to pray the Angelus together at noon each day. |
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