Gospel: November 11, 2025
November 11, 2025 (Tuesday)
32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4 / (White)
St. Martin of Tours, bishop
Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
I will bless the Lord at all times.
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 2:23—3:9
Indeed, God created man to be immortal in the likeness of his own nature, but the envy of the devil brought death to the world, and those who take his side shall experience death. The souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them. In the eyes of the unwise they appear to be dead. Their going is held as a disaster; it seems that they lose everything by departing from us, but they are in peace. Though seemingly they have been punished, immortality was the soul of their hope. After slight affliction will come great blessings, for God has tried them and found them worthy to be with him; after testing them as gold in the furnace, he has accepted them as a holocaust. At the time of his coming they will shine like sparks that run in the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king forever. Those who trust in him will penetrate the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love, for his grace and mercy are for his chosen ones.
Gospel: Luke 17:7-10
Who among you would say to your servant, coming in from the fields after plowing or tending sheep, ‘Go ahead and have your dinner’? No, you tell him, ‘Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron, and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink afterward.’ Do you thank this servant for doing what you told him to do? I don’t think so. And therefore, when you have done all that you have been told to do, you should say, ‘We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Reflection:
“We have only done our duty.”
Today’s parable discusses the nature of serving Christ. When we act with kindness or generosity, we are not to become self-important or self-congratulatory, or expect some great reward from God, as our service of Christ demands that we show love to others. Therefore, charity is not an extra; it is fundamental to the nature of being a Christian, of being a servant of Christ. In this way, as we serve Christ in others, we are to remember humbly “we have only done our duty.” The life of Saint Martin of Tours exemplifies this humble service of Christ in others. While Martin was still a soldier and preparing for baptism, he met a beggar who was all but naked. Spontaneously, Martin cut his cloak in two to clothe the man. That night he heard Jesus speak, “Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe.” He then refused to fight for an unjust cause, saying, “I am a soldier of Christ, it is not lawful for me to fight.” Martin as monk and Bishop continued to grow in piety and mercy. In this way, Martin did his duty. May we do the same for Christ in others.
