Celebration: St Martin of , Bishop (316-397).
Born to pagan parents in , he was first a soldier before he was baptised. He founded a monastery in and later became Bishop of . He sent missionaries to evangelise the country and to educate the clergy.
Table of the Word
First Reading: Wisdom 2:23–3:9
Gospel: Luke 17:7–10
Theme: Humility
Reflection
In our reflection today, Jesus invites us to embrace the virtue of humility that is rooted not in self-deprecation, but in truth: God is the source, the strength, and the completion of every good we do. Thus, His attributes of Omniscience, Omnipotence and Omnipresence. When we have obeyed, loved, served, forgiven, endured, and given generously, we are reminded: “We are unprofitable servants; we have only done what we were obliged to do.” (Luke 17:10)
This teaching purifies our motives.
It reminds us that Christian virtue is not performance and charity is not self-advertisement. The world encourages us to broadcast our goodness and seek applause for charity. As we are being caught up in the web of social media, where "thump ups" and "likes" on various handles put us on the platform of empty popularity. Then we must watch our steps.
But Jesus forms in us a heart that loves simply, quietly, faithfully because this is what love does.
Meanwhile, the first reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 2:23–3:9) reveals the dignity of the righteous: the souls of the just are in the hands of God. Even when the world does not understand their sacrifices, God sees, God remembers, and God rewards beyond measure.
On another note, as we join the universal Church to celebrate the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, who was once a soldier, later a monk and bishop, lived this Gospel truth not in theory but in action. His most famous act was simple but profound. A story was once told that one day, on a cold winter day, he met a beggar at the gate of Amiens. Having nothing else to give, he cut his soldier's cloak in half and shared it.
That night, Christ appeared to him in a vision wearing the half-cloak and said: “Martin, a simple catechumen, has clothed me.”
Still on this note that the Church in her teaching emphasizes the need to love the poor by saying that: “Love of the poor is inseparable from love of Christ.” (CCC 2444) And St. Benedict echoes: “Let all guests be received as Christ.”
Dearest in Christ, let us pause a while to reflect, by asking ourselves these questions: Have I given from a place of love, or from a place of expectation?
- Do I serve to be seen or simply because Christ lives in the one I serve?
- When opportunities to show mercy arise, do I hesitate?
Finally, let us imitate St. Martin:
Generosity that is gentle, immediate, and without self-display.
+ Peace be with you.
© ARCHIVE 11112025
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