A Shepherd in the Valley
Nov. 13: Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
Today we sing a Psalm of David's, so it's convenient that the
posted today—
Reading 1
Ti 3:1-7
Beloved: Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.
But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
As I've already pointed out, Titus is a pastoral letter, with instructions to what we would now call priests. But in this section, Paul offers advice on what instructions the pastor should give to the parishioners.
He calls on us to be good citizens. We aren't meant top be of this world, but we still need to exist in the world. We have responsibilities and duties to the larger society. We shouldn't undermine (proper) Earthly authorities, but rather encourage them to do good with their high offices.
Sometimes this can be mistaken for passivity, but instead, we ought to be active in our patience and faith that God's plan will prevail, not only in our personal lives, but in the lives of our communities and nations.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
David is a king, the greatest king in Israelite history, and yet he concedes God rules over him. He follows the Lord,1 because that is the only way he'll be able to face the enemies that beset him on all sides.
If we follow the Lord, we too will be able to dwell in His house.
Alleluia
1 Thes 5:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Even in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we must thank God for guiding us through it.
Gospel
Lk 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”
Jesus performs two miracles in this Gospel. The first is obvious—curing ten lepers. The second is less obvious but more important—saving the Samaritan.
The ten lepers were excluded from the city because of the danger they posed to other people. The nine Hebrew lepers were immediately able to re-enter society. The Samaritan was an outsider among outsiders. He had nowhere to go, except to Jesus.
Jesus accepts him, accepts his thanks, and promises salvation not because of his birthright but because of his faith. That's why we ought to give thanks in all circumstances.
Except when he doesn't, for which he's duly punished.