Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 32nd Week in Ordinary time – Tuesday – Luke 17:7-10

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Tuesday of the 32nd Week of Ordinary Time is Luke 17:7-10.

Christ commanded the Apostles and other disciples to be saintly, warning that Hell awaits those who lead souls astray, of the requirement for unlimited forgiveness to the repentant and the need for the gift of faith to achieve this level of saintly behavior. Christ now reveals that embracing one’s duty with humility is an essential discipline for the ascent to sainthood.

Christ sends out His Apostles/disciples (servants or slaves) out into the world (field) to do His  work (plowing, shepherding) of evangelization and serving the poor. He tells the Apostles/disciples (servants or slaves) it is absurd (to expect the Master to serve the servants) for Christ’s men to expect reward for doing what Christ commands. Christ expects each disciple to accept His commands and to simply and humbly do their duty (Latin meaning “to owe”).

Doing what Christ commands is impossible without the faith Christ grants; any worthy thing a man might do only has worth because Christ has done it through the man. Every man who serves Christ should gladly do his duty out of gratitude for the worldly blessings Christ has granted and for the opportunity of eternal life.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ has the infinite power to allow His disciples to do the impossible if they will have faith.  Divine King, Christ is a tough leader who sets the bar impossibly high and expects His disciples to simply do their duty. Divine Teacher, Christ instructs His disciples to using memorable examples (the master serving the servants) that stick in the minds of disciples.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Some men presumptuously think of Jesus as a “friend”, pridefully assuming an intimacy Christ reserved for His Apostles who had a deep understanding of His will and who humbly followed His will with their whole being. Consider Christ the Master’s warning for His servants to be humble.

2) Christ exhorts disciples to humbly do what He commands them to simply do one’s duty without expectation of reward.  Reflect upon your Duty (CCC 1418, 1932, 2043, 2087, 2104-2105, 2152, 2218, 2252, 2265, 2427, 2472) and pray for Christ to help you live up to your duty to family, parish, neighbors, the Church and country.

3) By the Incarnation, Christ demonstrates Divine Humility; here, Christ calls men to embrace the humility of a lowly slave. Reflect upon the Virtue of Humility (CCC 299, 1450, 2219, 2540, 2546, 2554, 2559, 2631, 2713, 2753, 2779) and pray for Christ to help you become the humble man He demands you to be.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Guardian Angels

Virtue of the Day – Justice

Corporal Work of Mercy – To clothe the naked

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To counsel the doubtful